Legal Advice on Sports images

[Yeoer]

I have been asked to cover a sporting event in the next few weeks with a couple of very famous people attending (UK). My question is what are my rights with regards to the images taken at the event.

1. I would like to sell prints on-line from my website for personal use.

2. I would also like to sell the images commercially to the event sponsors etc.

3. I would like to 'sell' the images to the local papers.


What if any promission do i need to obtain to do the above.

Thanks in advance.

Nigel

[primoz]

For 1. and 2. you will need signed release from people on photos (and probably also organizer of event). For 3. you are free to go :)

[Yeoer]

Thanks primoz.

So i have to have a release form from everyone in my photo's on my website.

You have some great images on your site. Do you have a release for all of them or does it depend on who is featured?

[cptkoi]

As I understand it based on UK law

If the images taken are in a public place and you are not invading that persons privacy, you can do all of the above without additional paperwork.

If the images are inside a venue you need permission to take those pics and use them. This may be from the organisers of the event or a governing body overseeing the event. Most pro venues are geared up for photographers so this is more than likely just a formality of getting your name added to the list.

h

[primoz]

Not really. My web is basically not meant for selling to people for personal use. It's for newspapers and other editorial clients. So whole this thing goes under editorial. But if someone wants photo for commercial use, they need to get release from person on photo. And no, I don't have releases. It's kinda hard to expect some World Champion will sign release for free ;)
As far as web goes, galleries and stuff like this are considered editorial usage, so you don't need release for that.

cptkoi, I can't say for UK, but I would really doubt you are right. If you are, then UK is probably only country on world where it would be like this. Every place I know requires release if you go for commercial use. Even if photo was shoot on public ground. And even if you have permission from organizer. Just one sample... You go to football match, you are accredited and you have permission to shoot. You shoot great photo of Beckham and you sell it to, let's say Coca Cola (this is funny one, since he is(was) doing commercials for Pepsi). They use it for their huge billboards, without paying him one single euro. You think it will go? ;)

[cptkoi]

cptkoi, I can't say for UK, but I would really doubt you are right. If you are, then UK is probably only country on world where it would be like this. Every place I know requires release if you go for commercial use. Even if photo was shoot on public ground. And even if you have permission from organizer. Just one sample... You go to football match, you are accredited and you have permission to shoot. You shoot great photo of Beckham and you sell it to, let's say Coca Cola (this is funny one, since he is(was) doing commercials for Pepsi). They use it for their huge billboards, without paying him one single euro. You think it will go? ;)

Hi

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

Have a read of the section under Harassment & Invasion of Privacy.

I agree with you and the article that a model release removes all doubt and is the way to go especially in your example above.

It is however a very grey area over here, commercial use as in selling a print for personal use seems largely acceptable. Selling that same print on a large scale would no doubt attract attention and someone would want their cut.

[New Hobby]

I would like to expand this question to the U.S. I have some shots (not that I'm thinking of selling them) of the Patriots players (American Football) taken this summer when they where paracticing. It was open to the puplic and there where no tickets. Nothing to sign.
The question, can one sell theses shots of the likes of Tom Brady / Randy Moss, etc?
I though they has some rights to their own image.

[Binning]

I would like to expand this question to the U.S. I have some shots (not that I'm thinking of selling them) of the Patriots players (American Football) taken this summer when they where paracticing. It was open to the puplic and there where no tickets. Nothing to sign.
The question, can one sell theses shots of the likes of Tom Brady / Randy Moss, etc?
I though they has some rights to their own image.

My understanding is that you are fine to use the pictures for editorial use. Commercial use would require a model release. Another issue could arise if the pictures contained any team logos which would also require permission.