We at the Student Press Law Center created this guide for tips for handling demands like these, because unfortunately, PicRights is a real thing. They enforce Copyright claims for entities like Reuters or AP (as here). Though you do not indicate in your question how the particular photo is used, there may always be a fair use claim (as indicated in the guide) if you are able to make a reasonable argument: more on fair use here. This would serve as a defense to alleged infringement if the elements of fair use aligned with your situation. I’d love to have a chat with you about whether that might be the case if you approach our free legal hotline.
That all said, PicRights will not be interested in investing a lot of time and energy chasing after an individual nonprofit student publication, which leaves them ripe to negotiate. We can discuss that as well. Finally, it might be a good conversation to have with your university legal counsel, as this might be a sovereign immunity issue, depending on how the university is set up.
Ultimately, you should not just ignore the message from PicRights, and it does not sound like you are going to. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Jonathan Gaston-Falk
(He/Him/His Pronouns)
Staff Attorney
Student Press Law Center
1717 K Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20006
(202) 785-5450
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