How Much to Ask for in Copyright Infringement

[punstress]

The basics:

Never formally registered copyright on artwork, posted exclusively at stock photo company, more than 3 months ago. License is cheap.

Discovered the watermark of the stock photo company was crudely and incompletely removed and art appeared in several print ads. Stock co can't confirm a license.

Researched just enough to be confused. U.S. copyright law, Digital Millenium Act. Uruguay?

Can register art now, within 1 month of discovering use, to get statutory damages, or too late? What about botched watermark proving willfulness? Can ask in a demand letter for whatever they might pay? Your 2 cents?

Don't want to waste money and time with lawyer if don't have to.

Artist state Arkansas, Infringement in California.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You can't get statutory damages unless you've registered a copyright. You can claim actual damages, plus their profits derived from your work. Details are here.

If it were me, rather than trying to make a minimal claim for money damages, I would serve a DMCA notice on their webhost. Or do that and send a letter demanding compensation.

[punstress]

If it were me, rather than trying to make a minimal claim for money damages, I would serve a DMCA notice on their webhost. Or do that and send a letter demanding compensation.

Thanks but this was in print.

[aaron]

Then I suggest ignoring the DMCA part.