Stupid Copyright again

[Karl Johnston]

I feel like an idiot asking this, but after my last brush with copyright infringement or theft i thought i'd make sure.

Do you need a release from the people you shoot before posting their photos up on line that you did with/for them?

Does it need to be described in the terms and agreement beforehand? I just made the edit to mine to include a little checkbox "Yes, include me in your portfolio, both hardcopy and online"
"Online - yes/no-"
"Hardcopy - yes/no-"

Just to be safe, It wasn't illustrated before and common sense told me it would be unwise to post up peoples' pictures on your site if they didn't first consent to it.

Though, I feel my galleries are very barren and they don't reflect any shooting i've done since I started doing it for other people. Is there an unwritten rule that you can just put images up that you've done regardless if people have consented to it or not?

[400dabuser]

The best thing is to get them to sign a release form, this will clarify to you and them that the photos are your copyright and not theirs

Saying that, the photos are your copyright, and not anyone else's, so long as you have taken them and can prove that you have taken them yourself

[MJPhotos24]

Depends where you live and the laws there....U.S. laws, no you wouldn't need permission as long as you're not using it in a commercial sense. Editorial is fine - prints are considered editorial except in some instances like pro sports that define them as commercial and have it outlines on the media passes, on tickets, or announced during games, etc. depending on the league.

REGISTER ALL YOUR WORK!! Easiest way to protect your copyright.

[Karl Johnston]

Hm makes sense, cheers.

[Dennis_Hammer]

MJ is right first no reason not to register your work and second no reason not to get a release. Most people have no problems with them.