Double Billing Alleged for Internet Images

LAS VEGAS (CN) - Masterfile Corp., a stock photo company, conspired with a Web site developer and a debt-collection agency to sell rights to images and then seek additional fees after the images were used, according to a class action in Clark County Court.

I.T. Machines says Masterfile sold Web site developers rights to images that would become the property of the "end user."

Masterfile then conspired with at least one Web site developer, Phusion 25, to "free it from the contract," and seek more money, the lawsuit states.

I.T. also claims that NCS Recovery Corp. violated fair debt collection practices by sending it a letter seeking to settle the dispute and "avoid our client moving forward for copyright infringement."

Plaintiff says it paid Phusion 25 to design its Web site in April 2005. Its Internet service provider demanded the site be shut down this January.

I.T. Machines wants the "civil conspiracy" and alleged extortion to stop.

It is represented by Thomas Christensen.

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