I was summoned by the Dutch Press Bureau/ Association to pay $ 650,- within one week for publishing this pic on the forum of my website.
This so called press agency has contracted predator lawyers who scan websites for copyright pictures in my country, the Netherlands.
Here is what I received in my mailbox:
It appears that you have used one or more images from our ANP image bank on your website vrcc.nl.
Although images can easily be downloaded from the internet, copyright applies to virtually every photo. Therefore, a valid license is required for the use of a photo, so that photographers are fairly compensated for their work.
Unauthorized use constitutes a violation of the Copyright Act, as making public or reproducing a photo without permission is contrary to Article 1 of the Copyright Act.
In that case, it is up to the ANP to recover the lost revenue.
In reply, I stated the following
I object to your message case-ID JCQFEO.
The image is an official photo of the White House, taken by a government photographer during the signing of a presidential decree in January 2017.
Under U.S. law, work created by federal government employees as part of their official duties is copyright-free and belongs to the public domain.
The meme falls under 'fair use' because it is not used for commercial purposes.
The photo was also not posted on the website but in the forum and is a parody.
Furthermore, there can be no question of commercial interest because no membership fees need to be paid for the mentioned club and website.
Finally, the website and meme in the photo are specifically intended to promote, among other things, a motorcycle that has not been produced for 23 years.
The photo suggests that the motorcycle manufacturer will resume production. The creator of it, with exactly the same intention, cannot possibly object to that. On the contrary.
I am therefore of the opinion that I can share this meme on social media or with friends without any problems; that is how memes work.
I assume that your message is therefore based on a mistake.
Pending your reply, I will not react on your settlement,
This is what you get when Europeans start their own internet rules.
Gone freedom, gone creativity, welcome revenue means.
