Copytrack Demands Payment for an Image Without Showing a Single Shred of Proof It Owns It
An email arrives with a legal tone and the word "infringement." It demands hundreds of euros for a photo on your website and includes a link to pay online. What it doesn't include is a link to the original image on the supposed owner's website, a license, or any proof of authorship. This is the experience thousands of bloggers, small businesses and digital publishers describe after receiving claims from Copytrack, a German image-rights enforcement platform.
The pattern is so consistent that the Danish Chamber of Commerce published a guide for affected companies. Lawyers in Germany, the UK and the US have written instructions on how to respond, and hundreds of negative reviews have piled up on Trustpilot.
What is Copytrack?
Copytrack is a company registered in Germany that tracks images across the internet and collects payments on behalf of alleged rights holders. According to the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv), it works on a no-win, no-fee basis and keeps about 45% of what it collects.
In June 2025 it re-registered as "RD Legal GmbH," according to German attorney Sascha Franz. That is its third legal name since 2016, after Pixlegal GmbH and Copytrack GmbH. Franz warns that despite the name, it is not a law firm.
The core problem: no one verifies who the owner is
Copytrack's system is automated:
- A person or company uploads images to the platform and declares itself the rights holder.
- The system creates a digital fingerprint of each photo and searches millions of websites for matches.
- When it finds a match, it automatically sends a standardized email demanding payment, typically between $300 and $1,000.
The weak point is step one. According to PicDefense, the platform does not confirm that the uploader actually owns the image before tracking it and collecting on it. Anyone can claim someone else's photo, and Copytrack will collect in their name.
What the claims DON'T include
Recipients point to the same missing pieces again and again:
- No link to the original publication of the image on the alleged owner's website.
- No license or contract proving the claimant holds the rights.
- No proof of authorship, such as the original file, its metadata or the date of first publication.
- No document showing that Copytrack is authorized to represent that alleged owner.
When people request that proof, it often never arrives. Sascha Franz asked in writing for the full chain of rights to an image he was being charged for. Copytrack did not provide what he requested. Instead it sent a digitally signed "confirmation of ownership" issued by a company based in Hong Kong.
Documented cases
- Images bought on Adobe Stock. In Adobe's community forum, a user reported a demand for a photo purchased through their subscription plan. The alleged author's name didn't even match the one in their licensing history.
- Royalty-free photos. Web consultancy Innovative Tomato investigated an image a client was being charged for. A reverse image search showed it was freely available on several stock sites with no attribution requirement.
- Photographers charged for their own work. A Trustpilot reviewer reported being asked for more than 450 euros for a photo they took themselves. Content Powered reported that Copytrack flagged images belonging to their actual rights holders, including work by the official White House photographer.
- Persistent demands despite a license. Security writer Ben Tasker documented that Copytrack kept pressing him even though he held a license. He also noted that Euronews found similar problems when it was targeted.
Is a Copytrack email legally binding?
Not as an obligation to pay. A Copytrack email is an out-of-court request, essentially a collection letter. It is not a lawsuit or a ruling from a judge or government authority. On its own it doesn't require you to pay, doesn't generate fines and can't lead to seizure of assets.
A real lawsuit doesn't arrive by email. It comes through formal channels, via a court or a competent authority, with official documents and a case file. The burden of proof also rests with the claimant. If they can't prove the image is theirs, the demand has no basis.
At a glance: what Copytrack demands vs. what the claimant should prove
| What the email demands | What the claimant should prove | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Payment of roughly $300–$1,000 | Actual ownership of the image rights | Fidara Legal, 2025 |
| Proof of the user's license | Copytrack's authorization to represent the owner | Dansk Erhverv via The Copenhagen Post, 2025 |
| A response within short deadlines | Date and proof of first publication | Dansk Erhverv via The Copenhagen Post, 2025 |
| Payment through its online portal | Full chain of rights (author, licenses, transfers) | Kanzlei Franz, 2026 |
What to do if you receive a claim
- Don't pay. Paying without verifying is exactly the outcome this model relies on.
- Confirm the email is genuine. It should come from @copytrack.com or RD Legal GmbH. Be wary of look-alike domains and of payment requests in cryptocurrency or by wire transfer.
-
Reply in writing and demand proof. Ask for:
- A link to the original publication of the image on the alleged owner's site.
- Proof of ownership.
- Copytrack's authorization to represent the owner.
- The date of first publication.
- Keep your evidence. Save licenses, invoices, download receipts or screenshots from the stock site where you got the image.
- If they don't provide proof, treat the matter as unfounded and don't respond to the automated reminders.
- If you receive an official notice from a court or authority, contact an intellectual-property lawyer immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay if Copytrack can't prove the image belongs to its client?
No. The claimant must prove they hold the rights. Without a link to the original publication, a license or proof of authorship, the claim has no basis.
Can Copytrack sue me over an email?
An email is not a lawsuit. Copytrack acts as an intermediary, and any legal action would have to be filed by the actual rights holder through formal channels. Cases that reach court are rare.
Why am I being charged for an image I bought from a stock site?
Because the system detects matches automatically and doesn't verify licenses or owners. Reply with your license and proof of purchase.
What proof should I ask Copytrack for?
Ask for a link to the original image on the alleged owner's site, proof of ownership, authorization to represent the owner, and the date of first publication.
How do I know if the email is fake or from an impersonator?
Check the sender's domain, be suspicious of pressure to pay immediately, and never pay through links in the email. If in doubt, go directly to the official website.