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Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

Jason Clayworth

Illustration of a whale’s tail emerging from a sea of pixelated coins. — ⬆️ Sorry, we also don't have permission to use Tony Wu's amazing pics. Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios

Polk County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to pay $6,500 to a photographer and his legal counsel for using a photo of a whale without permission.

Why it matters: AI-powered copyright tools are making it easier for rights holders to find online infringements, increasing the risk for governments and other agencies that use photos on websites and social media.

State of play: The photo from Tokyo-based underwater photographer Tony Wu was used online to promote a program presented by one of Polk County Conservation's naturalists Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors (OWLS) series, spokesperson Jessica Lown tells Axios.

What's next: The department is now reviewing photos used for program promotions to verify they have the rights to use them and will conduct annual staff training, Lown said.

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Polk County pays $6.5K for using an unauthorized whale photo

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