Fighting Back: My Copyright Case Against Hanceville Today

On July 5, 2025, I filed a claim with the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) against Hanceville Today for copyright infringement. The case, formally titled Mapes v. Hanceville Today, docket number 25-CCB-0282, marks yet another unfortunate example of a small local outlet misusing creative work without authorization and then refusing to engage when held accountable.

What This Case Is About (Mapes v. Hanceville Today)

The dispute centers on the unauthorized use of my photography by Hanceville Today, a news publication in Hanceville Alabama. My photograph of a minor child was stolen and used by Hanceville Today to promote a paid event in Alabama. When I confronted them, they attempted to excuse the infringement by claiming “Fair Use,” despite knowing that defense does not apply. Fair Use is limited and applies only in specific

circumstances such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, or educational use and not for commercial promotion or profit. My work is created with time, expertise, and significant personal investment, was published and circulated by this outlet without permission. Not to mention the rights of the minor in the image were violated. Copyright law is clear: creators own the rights to their work, and those rights must be respected.

Rather than acknowledging the infringement or working toward resolution, the owners of Hanceville Today have chosen to ignore repeated attempts at contact. They have failed to respond to notices, declined to participate in dialogue, and continue to sidestep accountability.

According to Cullman Daily, the owner Tonya Godbee Quick runs Hanceville Today which is a digital Facebook News page. Additional sources have confirmed her husband John Godbee also runs the site.

A representative accepted service on July 30, 2025 for Hanceville Today yet neither Tonya nor John have replied to the lawsuit.

After the window to respond closes, I will seek maximum damages as a result of their intentional infringement.

Why the CCB Matters

The Copyright Claims Board (CCB), created under the CASE Act of 2020, exists specifically for situations like this. It provides creators with an accessible forum to enforce their rights without the prohibitive costs of federal litigation. The CCB allows independent artists, photographers, and other rights holders to file claims and seek damages for infringement, even when the infringing party is small or uncooperative.

By filing Mapes v. Hanceville Today, I’m exercising the exact rights Congress intended creators to have: a fair and efficient path to justice when their work is exploited.

The Silence of the Defendants

What stands out most about this case is not just the infringement itself, but the complete silence from the defendants. The owners of Hanceville Today have refused to respond to my outreach, refused to acknowledge wrongdoing, and now face the consequences of their decision to ignore the process.

In copyright disputes, silence is not a shield. Failing to respond only strengthens the record of willful disregard.

Why This Matters Beyond My Case

This case is about more than one outlet and one image. It is about the broader issue of how creators are treated in the digital era. Too often, artists find their work stolen, copied, or repurposed by organizations that assume they can operate without consequence.

By pursuing this case, I hope to remind publishers large and small that accountability for copyright infringement is not optional. Respecting creators’ rights is not only a legal duty but also a matter of integrity.

Closing Thoughts

The outcome of Mapes v. Hanceville Today (25-CCB-0282) will send a message both to those who respect creators and those who believe they can exploit them without repercussion.

As an artist, I will continue to protect my work, my rights, and the principle that creativity deserves respect, not exploitation.