"Do you have a Copyright Release?" "No. But thanks for asking!"

[BillsBayou]

Whoo-Hoo! Anyone else get asked for a "Copyright Release" when printing your own photos?

I just got asked for a "Copyright Release" by the ladies at the Sam's Photo Center! I couldn't be happier!

Here are the photos in the People section. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2380206#post2380206)

Yes, they have flaws, I'l discuss them there. However, I just wanted to know if anyone's run into any real problems with this question.

The photos were taken in the home we're remodeling after Katrina. All the tools are mine. The bench is mine. The background is a dropcloth to which I've added paint smears to make it look nice. I pointed all this out to the people at Sam's as well as the fact that we were all still wearing the very same clothes that you see in the photo. We didn't need to provide a release, but I was honored just to be asked.

If I'm going to keep doing this, I'm going to need a "fake" copyright release. Anyone have one?

[Becca]

I just had some calendars printed for Christmas gifts at Staples and they asked me if I had a copyright on the photos. I said, well I took them and have the original files, but they still made me sign a copyright release form for their files!

[saravrose]

Yep.. want to send Walmart into a tizzy?.. put a frame on any of your shots.. it's a compliment most of the time but if they get an attitude or really behave like they won't print for you it can get a bit on the annoying side.. I've actually had to go out to my car and bring in my kit to convince them that i'm capable of taking the shots they're questioning.. And I don't even use them for anything more than 4x6's when i'm in a hurry..

sari

[PhotosGuy]

Anyone else get asked for a "Copyright Release" when printing your own photos? Not yet. But when I walk into Costco, they just pull my order without asking who I am? :D

[Shutter22]

My child like qualities get me out of a lot of sticky situations. I was picking up prints for a contest at wal mart(which I got first in, thank you very much) and the woman behind the counter used this baby voice and asked, "Aw, these are very nice pictures, did you take these?" It was really annoying so I just said, "Yeah, actually I did, don't you love the lighting?" and walked away.

She was pretty confused.

[3Turner]

Well when I went to Walmart I got this little banter
(clerk) "Where were these photos taken" (of my son)

(me)"I took them at the art museum."

(clerk)"Really?? You took these photos??"

(me)"What?!? Are they that bad??"

Just paid for the photos and left....some people.

[Claire]

I doubt ppl in stores here would even ask to be honest. Maybe my local store would ask some ppl, but they know me so well they'd never ask me. Heck,I bought my camera there & been giving them tons of my shots to develop. They've seen all my good ones.:) One guy asked me if I had designed my business cards myself though & complimented me on a few of them.

[dpurslow]

used to get his problem so started taking the disk into the lab with a business card in it. When they asked my name I would say - its on the card - never had a problem again !

[dpurslow]

Oh, and a funny aside to this is, I used to live and work in the States for 10 years, in the late 90's just before I went digital I used to take 15 rolls of film at a time to "Eckards" I think the spelling is, its a drug store - Back then it was all glamour and more top shelf stuff - they would process it without a problem, never asked for details, releases etc. - go figure.

[Shutter22]

Oh, and a funny aside to this is, I used to live and work in the States for 10 years, in the late 90's just before I went digital I used to take 15 rolls of film at a time to "Eckards" I think the spelling is, its a drug store - Back then it was all glamour and more top shelf stuff - they would process it without a problem, never asked for details, releases etc. - go figure.

Film is a little easier to claim than digital files, and people weren't as anal about copyrights.

[liza]

I have them on file with our local one hour places, as I was using them for proofs before I started printing my own proof books and using an online pro lab. I also gave them my business cards and asked for referrals. :)

[wardie]

I got some enlargements processed at the local mall photo store. The shots had my studio name in the bottom RH corner.

1st clerk who took the payment commented on the shots but never queried the copyright. Later when I went back to pick them up (anything over 6x4 is only done at specific times) the 2nd clerk would not hand them over. I explained myself to the manager but they would not budge. Eventually I went out to the car and got a business card and insisted that they call the photographer for his OK. Took the call on my mobile never had an issue since.

Wardie

[BillsBayou]

I got some enlargements processed at the local mall photo store. The shots had my studio name in the bottom RH corner.

1st clerk who took the payment commented on the shots but never queried the copyright. Later when I went back to pick them up (anything over 6x4 is only done at specific times) the 2nd clerk would not hand them over. I explained myself to the manager but they would not budge. Eventually I went out to the car and got a business card and insisted that they call the photographer for his OK. Took the call on my mobile never had an issue since.

Wardie

That is HILLARIOUS!!!

"There's the studio name on the photo. Here's the studio card. Call them."
*ring*
"Hello! I'm standing right in front of you! Gimme my pictures!"

I can't believe they went that far to keep you from your photographs. Name on card. Name on package. Name on any ID you wished to show them.

I'm thinking of having a fake Copyright Release created just to carry around with me in case it happens again.

[Claire]

I should just steal someone elses photos, make a business card and put my number on it, along with fake releases... ;)

[thomascanty]

I've never had it happen. When I get prints done locally, I use a pro lab a mile or so from where I work. I've never heard them ask anyone, but I guess they pretty much know your average Joe Consumer isn't going to be taking film and image files to them to have prints made.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever been asked for a copyright release from an online print service, though. I've only done the online route once (via Mpix), and it was an image I'd bet good money Wal*Mart would have demanded a release for, but Mpix never said a thing.

[BillsBayou]

I should just steal someone elses photos, make a business card and put my number on it, along with fake releases... ;)

For all they know, that's what we're doing. I'm not sure what they expect to see.

Maybe this would work:



(logo and letterhead here)

(contact information, including the cell phone on your hip)

I, the undersigned, grant __________________________ full photographic printing rights to the following described photographs:
1) __________________________________________
2) __________________________________________
...
10) _________________________________________

for full compensation to me, the undersigned, for the said rights. Photographic prints may be altered in the following ways (initialed by me) as suits my customer:
____ Color Correction
____ Brightness/Contrast
____ Crop

I also release the following photo-processing facility (to be entered by recipient of this form) from any and all liabilities restricted to any copyright infringement violations in conjunction with the printing of above described photographs provided all prints and/or misprints are delivered to the customer possessing this form and no copies in any form (physical, digital, et cetera) are retained by said photo-processing facility.

Processing Facility Selected By Customer: ___________________________

Photographer: ______________________________
Customer: _____________________________

[ibdb]

Sent in some shots of my kids (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=245868) to Costo for printing. They called me at home to tell me I'd need to bring in the photographer's release before they could give me my prints. I told them I was the photographer -- there was about a five second pause, then they said they'd have a release there for me to sign.

When I arrived, I walked up to the counter and said I was there to get my pictures, but apparently I'd done too good of a job. The two ladies working there both started laughing and said I must be the one with the cute boys. They went to pick up my prints without even asking for my name, and brought over a release for me to fill out and sign for them to have on file.

Should anyone question my rights to the pictures, they can point to the release and say that they did what was required, absolving them of liability and putting it back on me.

And I was pleased to get that response. :D

[rhys]

Some places in Britain are getting stupid about copying. I have an examination certificate that has copy protection hidden in the blue decoration. When it's photocopied, the paler blue decoration reads clearly "not an original". This has caused several employers when presented with their photocopy of my certificate to turn me down for jobs. I thus have had to get a stack copied but with the blue removed. Many copy agencies will not do this, which is utterly stupid since it's my own certificate with my own name on it.

[ibdb]

My wife has a diploma that is at minimum 16X20, with an elaborate, very professional, very difficult to take apart without destroying, frame. It looks outstanding, but is way too large to handle or transport reasonably. When applying for jobs and certifications, an "original" was requested. Yeah - right. There is no way possible to request an additional "original copy." She's going to mail the entire framed certificate to someone for them to keep on file because no one else is ever going to want to see it, and there's no way she'd ever want to display something she'd worked so hard to earn. :rolleyes:

She found one copy shop that could handle trying to copy something that large, made multiple copies while it was still in the frame (with a watermarked "copy" appearing on the face), and if anyone gives her grief about it, we'll take a picture of her standing next to the frame and send it along with the photocopy. ;)

[coreypolis]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/OSP/WTD43.gif

[BillsBayou]

I love the cartoon!

[BillsBayou]

My wife has a diploma that is at minimum 16X20,...

PhD?

I guess I travel in different circles. Who wants an original of the certificate?

[ibdb]

MD. State licensing boards, hospitals, professional certification associations -- all know that everyone only has access to one original, and still they all think they need it for their files. :rolleyes:

And that's one of my favorite WTD strips. :lol:

[Seamless]

Sent in some shots of my kids to Costo for printing. They called me at home to tell me I'd need to bring in the photographer's release before they could give me my prints. [...]
When I arrived, I walked up to the counter and said I was there to get my pictures, but apparently I'd done too good of a job. The two ladies working there both started laughing and said I must be the one with the cute boys.

Start bringing the boys to the store when you pick up the photos?

[Claire]

oh, that WTD is hilarious!!

[liza]

I got some enlargements processed at the local mall photo store. The shots had my studio name in the bottom RH corner.

1st clerk who took the payment commented on the shots but never queried the copyright. Later when I went back to pick them up (anything over 6x4 is only done at specific times) the 2nd clerk would not hand them over. I explained myself to the manager but they would not budge. Eventually I went out to the car and got a business card and insisted that they call the photographer for his OK. Took the call on my mobile never had an issue since.

Wardie

This has got to be one of the funniest things I've ever read in my life. :lol:

[Carzee]

I always carry the card, and have used it at the lab. The card is especially if doing candids/street stuff.

[jpvaz]

Never got asked to fill a release form yeat.... Last week o took some photo's to be processed in one of the local photo shop's around here and the lady that work's there refused to give me my photo's after being processed.
When i asked why, she said that it was because i had some photo's of snakes and she was afraid of snakes.... so she would not even touch the prints.... I had to leave and go there again the next day to get my photo's from another person.... :confused: :confused:

[3Turner]

Okay, I was thinking that Wardie's story was funny...but now jpvaz I think your story just took the lead. :lol: :lol:


If I were there I would have said, let me go back there and get the prints or for her to call someone else to get them for me..sheesh can't touch the prints because there are snake shots in there:rolleyes: .

[wardie]

Now if I was jpvaz I'd be hunting down the biggest, hairyest, meanest looking spider to shoot for her to process next, BUT I'd have to shoot it with a 400mm f2.8 plus 2X teleconverter with my eyes closed.

Wardie

[jpvaz]

Now if I was jpvaz I'd be hunting down the biggest, hairyest, meanest looking spider to shoot for her to process next, BUT I'd have to shoot it with a 400mm f2.8 plus 2X teleconverter with my eyes closed.

Wardie

Interesting idea.... well, i'm at this very moment working out the details with a local zoo so that i get front row access to they're next big event... witch is... Feeding time, featuring a (in my opinion) GIANT anaconda snake eating a live lamb... I think i'll have some of those photos processed in the same shop... Will probably also take a video camera next time i go get my photo's...

Good thing is that i'm behind a lot of very strong glass... I've went there to take a look at the anaconda... and i think she could eat me in one bite with out even breaking a sweat... Scary animal...

[MrGibbage]

I took some pictures of my daughter today in front of some of my backdrops and sent the prints into my local Wal Mart. When my wife went to pick them up, they told her that they looked too professional and that she could only pick them up if the photographer (me) came in to sign a release. I was flattered, but went in to sign the release. The lady behind the counter told me a slightly different story. She told me I would have to either show them the negative or else the original. I told her they were digital prints, so there's no negative, and then told her I had no idea what a "digital original" even meant--it's a digital print. "Should I bring in my camera with the card still in it", I ever so sarcastically asked. I then calmed down a little and asked what other photographers bring in when you asked for an original. She didn't know. I then asked for the manager who came and looked at the pictures and told me she couldn't sell them to me and shredded the pictures. I only had six prints, and the total was a buck and change, but I am still a little irritated about this. I know why they are doing this, and have actually heard about it for quite some time. In fact, I half-joked about it in the past that they never thought my pictures looked good enough because they never gave me the "your pictures are too good" treatment. I asked if I had any alternatives, if there anything I could sign, or whatever. They did have a form I could fill out, but I would have to attach a letter on letterhead, which I obviously don't have either. So I guess I won't be doing too many prints at Wally World any more.

So, where else can I get one hour prints that look pretty decent? I was thinking that I could call the store and tell the manager that I could take a picture of myself in my "studio". Would that suffice to prove that I really took the picture? Of course, that could be photoshopped as well.

**sigh**

Skip
http://pelorus.org/SarahSailorGirl640.jpg

[Curtis N]

I guess I won't be doing too many prints at Wally World any more. I would include that line in a letter to the store manager. They need to take reasonable steps to prevent copyright infringement, but their treatment of you was unreasonable.

By the way, that's a really cute shot!

[TSEE]

Whoo-Hoo! Anyone else get asked for a "Copyright Release" when printing your own photos?

I just got asked for a "Copyright Release" by the ladies at the Sam's Photo Center! I couldn't be happier!

Here are the photos in the People section. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2380206#post2380206)

Yes, they have flaws, I'l discuss them there. However, I just wanted to know if anyone's run into any real problems with this question.

The photos were taken in the home we're remodeling after Katrina. All the tools are mine. The bench is mine. The background is a dropcloth to which I've added paint smears to make it look nice. I pointed all this out to the people at Sam's as well as the fact that we were all still wearing the very same clothes that you see in the photo. We didn't need to provide a release, but I was honored just to be asked.

If I'm going to keep doing this, I'm going to need a "fake" copyright release. Anyone have one?

Oh don't get me started on this!....too late...
Yup, I dealt with this crap so much that I've gone away from Wallyworld, they annoy me BEYOND belief with their copyright release crap. It was fine and dandy the first time (I was flattered considering the shots I had printed was no where near quality, taken with a flash too boot!) and the lady didn't believe me - in fact she looked at me like I had 3 heads when I said I had taken them. So the SECOND time they asked me I had them file a copyright release with my business card in the one hour lab. But now send off was starting that too, what was gonna be a 3 day print job turns into 1.5 weeks becuz them sending copyright release info that needs to be mailed (or faxed if you have access) back to them before they print. Its not worth it since they don't file the copyright releases that I send it. *sigh*
If sam's club files stuff, let them do that and it will save you a "little" hassle later, if not...go elsewhere, trust me - its gonna get old FAST!
I'm trying out Adoramapix next week if my SIL just gets her butt in gear and tells me which ones she wants enlargements of. Adorama was nice enough to send me a 15 dollar coupon to use, and when I signed up for their print service they gave me 25 free 4x6's, between the stuff I need printed I think I can get all my stuff for like 5 bucks and shipping.

[TSEE]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/viperx27/OSP/WTD43.gif

:lol: :lol: :lol: LMCAO! Oh that's hilarious, thanks for the midnight laugh!!!

[R_Metzel]

I've had to sign a release numerous times at my local walmart. They always seem to lose it some how. I only get small prints to send to family from them. Everything else goes through MPIX. Lately I have been using those machines to print with so I don't have to deal with the moron kids working in the print lab. Try Walgreen's, they have printed entire batches of my watermarked pictures without a single fuss.:confused: One extreme to the other!:rolleyes:

[DAMphyne]

That Is Funny Coreypolis.
I had a clerk at the local drug store ask if some bird pics were mine. After I said yes, she wanted to buy some copies.
I sold 'em to her on the spot.

[Mark_Cohran]

I use online services for most everything, but if I need to get anything printed locally, I go to the pro shop where they know me. I'd never use Walmart for prints. That's not to ding anyone who does, but I just can't stand their corporate policies.

Mark

[theflyingkiwi]

I use online services for most everything, but if I need to get anything printed locally, I go to the pro shop where they know me. I'd never use Walmart for prints. That's not to ding anyone who does, but I just can't stand their corporate policies.

Mark

from reading this thread it sounds like wallymart is trying to be too effect for there own good. I mean they don't sound like they have any correct policys regarding copyright photos or not.

to me it just sounds like they said, we don't allow copyright photos to be printed and that's that. With each store coming up with there own way of dealing with it.

it sounds like to me that someone should record the whole event and then sue them for loss of income or something.

[thekid24]

I just got back from Walgreens and had the lady developing the pics ask where I had taken the picture I had blown up at. I told her I took at and her response was quote " Thats a damn good picture!". That called for a couple of looks from customers, then a small chat chit ensured afterwards. That was the first time I have ever got complimented on my photos. Thought Id share.

[neil_r]

I have used the same pro lab for 15 years, so no problems here, even if my pictures were any good :-)

[JWright]

I took some pictures of my daughter today in front of some of my backdrops...

Skip
http://pelorus.org/SarahSailorGirl640.jpg

I thought that little cutie looked familiar! She's sure grown!

[liza]

Mpix is a much better alternative for having your images printed without all the hassles. You can upload them from home and have them delivered to your door within a couple of days. And they look one heckuva lot better than Walmart. :)

[SuzyView]

On line, never any questions. I still print my own at home unless it is over 8x10. The Costco here has the same lab techs all the time and they know me. They will print until I am happy with the outcome. It's great. But yes, a relationship with the lab is the best way. I also don't put any signature on my work, I don't like to do that. But I do get asked if they are my images. I just show them my camera gear I have on my back and they don't question me. I have never had a problem.

[MrGibbage]

Unfortunately, it's just like everything else--it just depends on who you talk to. If I went back tomorrow, and got a different person, they very well might print them. Just like the employee that asked that I bring an original in, but didn't know herself what an original was.

[thekid24]

So if I went in to Wally World and had them print off a pic of mine that had a water mark on it, they probably would hassle me for a copyright release?

[liza]

Unfortunately, it's just like everything else--it just depends on who you talk to. If I went back tomorrow, and got a different person, they very well might print them. Just like the employee that asked that I bring an original in, but didn't know herself what an original was.

You should really give Mpix a try. Walmart color profiles are off in many of their machines, and the end result is often less than satisfactory. If you order from Mpix, make sure to check "do not color correct" when you place your order. I've found that the prints look much better this way.

[DiscoLizard]

What about snapfish.com? Prices seem reasonable... No idea about the quality, though I'd imagine HP know a thing or two about printing.

It sounds like the litigation society the US appears to have (from where I am) is getting even crazier. Why is it the job of the untrained, uneducated, $7.50 per hour photo printing employee to enforce copyright law? Refusing to give people their photos? Madness. Signing a waiver I can understand, I suppose.

[liza]

It sounds like the litigation society the US appears to have (from where I am) is getting even crazier. Why is it the job of the untrained, uneducated, $7.50 per hour photo printing employee to enforce copyright law? Refusing to give people their photos? Madness. Signing a waiver I can understand, I suppose.

Actually, the paranoia stems from KMart being successfully sued for copyright violation.

[DiscoLizard]

Actually, the paranoia stems from KMart being successfully sued for copyright violation.

:shock: That's depressing.

So the person who did the suing went after the company with the deep pockets rather than the person who did the infringing. Makes good financial sense, if not being particularly ethical IMO.

Being an agent of infringement rather than a perpetrator IMO is the same as being an ISP - it is ridiculous to expect the agent to inspect everything that passes through their control. I don't know the exact phrasing of the law, but is there no clause that states that a reasonable amount of care should be taken? Surely a signed waiver is reasonable enough?

[JWright]

I'm glad I saw this thread... I'm about to deliver a disc to a wedding client and all the images on the disc are watermarked. I'm going to provide them with a Copyright Release in case they encounter similar problems. At the same time I am going to reccommned they not use Wal-Mart or Costco for their prints, but go to the local pro camera store where I am well known.

[liza]

:shock: That's depressing.

So the person who did the suing went after the company with the deep pockets rather than the person who did the infringing. Makes good financial sense, if not being particularly ethical IMO.

Being an agent of infringement rather than a perpetrator IMO is the same as being an ISP - it is ridiculous to expect the agent to inspect everything that passes through their control. I don't know the exact phrasing of the law, but is there no clause that states that a reasonable amount of care should be taken? Surely a signed waiver is reasonable enough?

I have a signed waiver on file with Walmart and Sam's Club, even though I no longer use them. I also gave them a business card and asked for referrals. ;)

[Curtis N]

So the person who did the suing went after the company with the deep pockets rather than the person who did the infringing. Makes good financial sense, if not being particularly ethical IMO.As I understand the way the Kmart suit went down, they were found liable for copyright infringement because they (Kmart) made the copies, and profited from it.

It's certainly a slippery area, but most places take reasonable steps to prevent it, which is all that's really necesary. Unfortunately, not all of the big box photo labs properly train their help.

[Modine]

That's an amazingly good picture considering the setting and the circumstances. Those are some strong people in that picture.

I've never been asked for a release by a lab.

But then, I've never been through anything nearly horrific as Katrina either.

[knt3424]

My wife just went to a local grocery store a couple weeks ago to get a sheet cake made with a photo on it. Just a photo she took of my daughter and future (Saturday) son-in-law for the daughter's bridal shower. My wife was asked for a "professional's release"... for a friggin cake! (cake wasn't that good either).

downside is now my wife thinks the little point & shoot camera she took the picture with must be such a fantastic camera that she's getting ticked that I'm talking about buying an XTi.... grrrrrr... I think I'm gonna go make that guy eat his own cake!

[lingham]

I have used the same pro lab for 15 years, so no problems here, even if my pictures were any good :-)

which one is that?

[neil_r]

which one is that?


Colab http://www.colab.co.uk

[thekid24]

Ok Im reviving a older thread.

I just had one of these experiences at Walgreens. The lady knew that I was the photog because Ive been there once before but she mentioned that anyone that would want to print my photos would need a release form. I told her I didnt not realize that (I never got the 'wow-where-did-you-get-these-taken?' compliments b4) and asked if she had any for me.

This being the first time Ive ever been in this situation, does anyone know how to fill one of these bad-boys out? If so could you show an example, I have no clue.

[theflyingkiwi]

Ok Im reviving a older thread.

I just had one of these experiences at Walgreens. The lady knew that I was the photog because Ive been there once before but she mentioned that anyone that would want to print my photos would need a release form. I told her I didnt not realize that (I never got the 'wow-where-did-you-get-these-taken?' compliments b4) and asked if she had any for me.

This being the first time Ive ever been in this situation, does anyone know how to fill one of these bad-boys out? If so could you show an example, I have no clue.

I would start out something like this:

To Whom It May Consern

Due to the fact that I am now a really great photographer and you think I am important enought for a Copyright release I here by give this person persminsion to print one of my really cool photographs.

However by taking on this photograph you have to do the following

Don't make any adjustments to the photograph itself. I am a god when it comes to photoshop so please do not insult me.
Please do not look at the photo itself, this infringe my copyright.
were ever possible please make sure that no security cameras are point in the direction of the printer. This will make a copy of the photo, which again will infringe my copyright.
In fact it's better if you also try to avoid touch the photo in anyway. This may cause damage to the print for my customer.

Failing to do so may cause me to sue your (well you get the idea)

Regards
The best photographer in town.

:)

[thekid24]

I would start out something like this:



:)
HAHAHA sounds cool to me but they gave me one to fill out. I just didnt know what to do exactly.