Do you Copyright your photos?

[SezzySue]

I have a question about copyrighting your photos. Even if you don't have a business can you copyright your photos? Do you have to take them some where or can you just add the little "C" Copyright logo on your photos? Do many of you do this with your photos?

[eyedreams]

This may help you out:

creativecommons.org (http://creativecommons.org/)

[subtle_spectre]

United States copyright law is actually pretty simple in this regard. The creator of an image, literary work or so many other things along these lines owns, controls and otherwise maintains complete and total right to the creation and nothing must be done to establish this ownership and attendant rights. A photographer needn't register or even denote his/her ownership and right to control copying of the image, although placing the copyright symbol on the image, or otherwise denoting copyright, does serve to more formally and conspicuously place others on notice of the ownership.

These remarks are for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advise. Specific questions or issues should be addressed by qualifies legal practioners in your community. S. Cleveland, JD.

[SezzySue]

I am just trying to amek sure. I think I will be putting th C symbol on them unless people ask to BUY the rights so they can't go to places like Wal Mart and make copies. Thanks abunch. Havea great day.

[kevin_c]

When you post images on the web or send anyone 'proofs' , just resize them to something like 400-500 pixels wide and drop the rosolution to 72ppi - That will only print the size of a postage stamp with any quality.
Another thing you can do is incorporate a 'watermark' across the image - I personally don't like these as I think they tend to catch the eye more than the actual pictures content!

[Robert564]

Here is a related copyright question.
If I am paid to take a studio product shot of a handmade quilt, do I now have the right to use that photo to make some postcards to sell on the open market? One of my printing customers just asked me that question and I didn’t know the answer.
Thanks
Robert

[cyber-rat]

Here is a related copyright question.
If I am paid to take a studio product shot of a handmade quilt, do I now have the right to use that photo to make some postcards to sell on the open market? One of my printing customers just asked me that question and I didn’t know the answer.
Thanks
Robert

It depends really. The pattern of the quilt may or may not be protected by copyright, but if it is then you would only be able to sell the photos of the copyright owner had granted that right. Allowing a photo to be taken of a work for one particular purpose wouldn't lead to an assumption that it could be used for all purposes without infringing copyright.
Regardless of any copyright in the quilt, it also depends on what rights you granted in respect of the photo you took to the person who paid you to take it.

Linda

[PhotosGuy]

If/when you decide to formally © them, you can put all your small jpegs on a CD & copyright them as a group for only $30 in the US. Then you're in for big $s if someone uses them without permission which gives you a "big stick" if you tell someone to remove them.

Copyrighting Your Images and Deterring Image Theft
http://www.rickbakerimages.com/photography_advice/copyrighting_your_images.html

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/index.html

10 Big Myths about copyright explained
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

A compendium of resources on copyright - Editorial photographers links
http://www.editorialphoto.com/copyright/

[Togra4]

Thanks Frank, great references for us newbies....

[staciecd]

I copyright my photos, mainly because I've had issues in the past. When I take a high quality shot, I snail mail the photo to myself - time stamped and sealed envelope. I also try to take detailed notes on my photos and put them under version control.

[Togra4]

i have heard you can "copyright" by mailing things to yourself.....im glad to hear its not a rumor.....

[IndyJeff]

As stated above the moment the image is created you own the copyright. Unless you register that image with the US Copyright office (for US works at least) then you have little or no recourse if someone steals that image and uses it.

If the image is not registered you are allowed by law to sue to regain lost income, meaning the actual amount which by industry standard would have been paid. You must hire an attorney and will have court costs such as filling fees. Good luck on finding an IP attorney who will even consider taking that case.

Now if you have the image registered, you are allowed to collect for damages (lost income) plus punitive damges, attorney fees and court costs.

Average copyright infringment case runs about $50,000, that is not what you get but what it costs to follow thru with the lawsuit.

Mailing an image to yourself, placing a © on them does not give the full protection of the US Copyright Code.

For more info go to copyright office (www.copyright.gov/)

[DavidW]

It's important to remember that there are differences from country to country. Here in the UK, there is no official registration of copyright; I believe the same is true for most of Europe. That doesn't stop people outside the US using the US register and acquiring the protection that that can give in the US - though, for domestic purposes, the UK government actually recommends measures such as depositing a copy with a lawyer and/or mailing yourself a copy by Special Delivery (the equivalent over here of Certified Mail) and leaving it unopened - see here (http://www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/faq/copyright/protect_rights.htm).



David

[PhotosGuy]

It's important to remember that there are differences from country to country.
UK
http://www.patent.gov.uk/copy/definition.htm
Australia
http://www.copyright.com.au/membership.htm
http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/securitylawHome.nsf/Page/Publications_Intellectual_Property_A_Short_G

uide_to_Copyright#5

[Kadath]

As I am, as the folks over at modelmadness so eloquently put it, a GWC, a GUY WITH A CAMERA and not a pro photographer, nor do I ever intend to make a dime with my hobby, I release 99% of my shots under a Creative Commons No Commercial Use and Share and Share Alike license.

If someone is foolish enough to want to use my shot for commercial use, we can work something out. If someone sees my work and wants to use it to make something cool of their own not for commercial work, this helps them do that legally, easily.

I love seeing the pros squirm when creative commons type issues get rolling, as somehow we're personally responsible for their inability to make a buck. I laughed the other day when someone posted that that was like the four seasons bitching that the Motel 6 was stealing all their clients =)

Sam