When I got to my desk on Monday, a message was waiting for me from a station manager: “We just got this image copyright claim. What do we do?” The email they received looked official, the amount requested wasn’t small, and the deadline to respond was short enough to make anyone nervous. Situations like this are becoming more common across our industry, and in many cases, the station involved didn’t intentionally do anything wrong.
The law is not changing, but the technology to find these images is. Companies now use automated and AI-driven image search tools that constantly scan the web looking for copyrighted photos. When those systems find a match, a notice gets sent, sometimes within seconds. That means radio station websites, which often publish news, events, and community content every day, are appearing in these searches more than ever.
The first thing every station needs to understand is that using an image legally today requires more discipline than it did even five years ago. Pulling a photo from a web search or even Facebook because it fits the story is no longer just a bad habit; it’s a liability. The only safe approach is to use images that come from a licensed source, a trusted content provider, your own photography, or a verified AI generator. You may have noticed that Radio Update regularly relies on licensed libraries such as Freepik.com, which is exactly the kind of controlled source stations should be using. When the origin of the image is clear and documented on the page or in the image metadata, responding to a claim becomes much easier, and the issue often disappears quickly.
Documentation is the part most stations overlook. I get that folks are busy. It’s easy to upload a photo, publish the article, and move on. The problem shows up years later when a claim arrives and nobody remembers where the image came from. Most of the claims I see are from posts that were published two to three years ago. In that time, there could be staff changes, computers replaced, and suddenly, there’s no record of where the image came from. Every content team should have a process for saving the image source, license terms, and any attribution information when the post is created. As you can see, Radio Update notes the image source under every article. I always include that information within the image caption on our website. It may feel like extra work in the moment, but it can be the difference between resolving a claim in five minutes and spending weeks trying to prove you had the right to use the photo.
Imported content is another area where stations get caught off guard. Many websites pull in articles through RSS feeds, network content services, or automated publishing tools. If those feeds include images, the station must have permission to use those images as well. Most legitimate content providers do grant that permission, but it should never be assumed. There should always be written confirmation, and there should always be a contact person who can verify the license if a claim appears. Do not take anyone’s word for it. Images may be licensed for the content provider’s domain, but do not cover anyone who takes their content. That content provider contact may not even be aware of it, so get it in writing to ensure coverage. When a notice arrives, the first call should be to the provider that supplied the content, not to your credit card company.
Not every copyright notice is legitimate, which makes the situation even more confusing. Some firms specialize in enforcement and operate professionally, but others send automated messages hoping the recipient will pay quickly without asking questions. One of the easiest warning signs is the sender itself. Legitimate companies do not send legal demands from free email accounts, and they do not refuse to provide proof of ownership when asked. A proper claim will identify the image, show where it was found, and clearly state who owns the rights. Anything less should be verified before any payment is considered.
The rise of AI image generation has made this issue easier to manage when used correctly. AI image generation tools like Leonardo, Midjourney, Google’s NanoBanana, and even Skyrocket Radio’s AI Content Helper Pro can create original artwork on demand without touching copyrighted material. When the image is generated by your own prompt, the risk of accidental infringement drops dramatically. AI doesn’t remove the need for caution, but it does eliminate the old excuse that someone had to grab a picture from the internet because nothing else was available.
When a claim arrives, the most important thing is not to panic or ignore it. Find the image, verify the source, contact the provider if the content came from a service, and confirm that the company sending the notice is legitimate before taking any action. In many cases, once proof of licensing is provided, the situation is resolved without further trouble. If your people used copyrighted images without permission, it’s worth a shot to have your legal team try to reduce your fee.
The reality is that copyright enforcement will only increase. Image recognition tools are getting better, and radio station websites publish more visual content today than at any time in the past. The best protection is simply good discipline. Use licensed images, keep records, verify imported content, and avoid shortcuts even when the deadline is tight.
In the current environment, the stations that stay organized are the ones that stay out of trouble.
Pic generated by Leonardo.AI
Jim Sherwood is a radio veteran turned digital strategist dedicated to helping radio stations thrive online through engaging websites and mobile apps. As the founder of Skyrocket Radio and host of the Better Radio Websites podcast, he shares best practices to help stations grow audiences and revenue in the digital space. With decades of experience in radio and a passion for connecting content with listeners, Jim ensures that every station—no matter its size—can make a lasting impact online.