How to register / copyright images?

Can someone point me out to a tutorial, if there are any, on what needs to be done to register / copyright your images? I came back from a 2 week photography tour and have a lot of awesome pictures that I want to sell as prints.

What sort of resolution should my web images be and what quality?

Are you talking about information above and beyond what's available at copyright.gov?

There's some links at the bottom of the page that will enlighten you.

I wrote a blog post last year about how to register your photos:

http://chrismartino.co​m …the-u-s-copyright-office/

</shamless plug>

chrismar wrote in post #14518452
I wrote a blog post last year about how to register your photos:

http://chrismartino.co​m …the-u-s-copyright-office/

</shamless plug>

Nice job. I'd never come across this before and I think it definitely needs to be a pretty much "must read" for any of us. Thanks for the write up

chrismar wrote in post #14518452
I wrote a blog post last year about how to register your photos:

http://chrismartino.co​m …the-u-s-copyright-office/

</shamless plug>

Thanks, exactly what I was looking for instead of roaming thru copyright.gov. Sharing is caring.

Read your post and know what to do.

chrismar wrote in post #14518452
I wrote a blog post last year about how to register your photos:

http://chrismartino.co​m …the-u-s-copyright-office/

</shamless plug>

Congrats for just knowing that the OP was from the US.

I wish it was as easy for the rest of the world. Is it like Gaydar? Or is it that you can safely assume that someone who knows where the answers are but can't be arsed to look must be American? </sarcasm>

Serious point; people asking for legal or tax advice are guaranteed a better response if they state where they're from.

I wonder what percentage of people who don't bother to state their countries aren't from the US?

Rarely does anyone not in the US ask "how to register"--because it's not such an issue in most other countries.

And after seeing the OP respond affirmatively, not to mention other respondents also responding affirmatively, why kvetch about it anyway? If the process requires an answer for those in the UK, why not simply post a helpful "for those in the UK..." response.

RDKirk wrote in post #14528307
I wonder what percentage of people who don't bother to state their countries aren't from the US?

Rarely does anyone not in the US ask "how to register"--because it's not such an issue in most other countries.

And after seeing the OP respond affirmatively, not to mention other respondents also responding affirmatively, why kvetch about it anyway? If the process requires an answer for those in the UK, why not simply post a helpful "for those in the UK..." response.

Its not important what the percentage is, it's common sense to state your location if you're asking for location specific advice. Photographers will insist on knowing every nuance of detail before offering photographic advice, but legal and tax advice are passed out willy nilly! Much more important but is treated as trivial by many.

There are plenty of questions from other countries about registering. Because the English speaking Internet is full of advice re registering copyright, scam organisations have sprouted up to take advantage of the fact.

I've no idea what kvetch is? But you should see from the above that, whilst my tone was flippant, my concerns are very real and serious.

Just like here
https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=14540152&p​ostcount=2
There's no legal reason a Peruvian photographer ought to be registering copyright in the US, but it seems so obvious to do when it's constantly spouted as the right thing to do.

Actually, there is. I believe it was that same correspondent from Peru who said in a different thread that he publishes a lot of work in the US, and because one doesn't get full protection in the US unless one is registered here, that is why someone not in the US would be interested in US registration.

chrismar wrote in post #14518452
I wrote a blog post last year about how to register your photos:

http://chrismartino.co​m …the-u-s-copyright-office/

</shamless plug>

If I had this last year.... Would have saved me a lot of trouble! Helps even now, thank you!

You're welcome!

This will change once eCO allows for group registrations of published photographs, but I'll write a new post for that. I've been part of their pilot program, and I must say- it's much easier and cheaper than using the paper forms, mailing a CD/DVD, etc.

RDKirk wrote in post #14541804
Actually, there is. I believe it was that same correspondent from Peru who said in a different thread that he publishes a lot of work in the US, and because one doesn't get full protection in the US unless one is registered here, that is why someone not in the US would be interested in US registration.

We've been here before, it's like banging my head against a wall.

Are you familiar with the phrase 'look there's only our Johnny marching in time'?

Well that's the US copyright system.

The Peruvian photographer is covered by international law, but the US requires him to register there in order to protect himself?

There have been cases where international musicians have been robbed by US artists because they 'never bothered' to register their work in the US! So the courts sided with the US artists. It's completely mental.

But you can only see little Johnny marching in time, so what more is there to say?

Phil V wrote in post #14546103
We've been here before, it's like banging my head against a wall.

Are you familiar with the phrase 'look there's only our Johnny marching in time'?

Well that's the US copyright system.

The Peruvian photographer is covered by international law, but the US requires him to register there in order to protect himself?

There have been cases where international musicians have been robbed by US artists because they 'never bothered' to register their work in the US! So the courts sided with the US artists. It's completely mental.

But you can only see little Johnny marching in time, so what more is there to say?

Since it is what it is and you understand what it is, why do you complain about US photographers giving non-US photographers information about the US registration system?

When I've been in other countries, I've been quite grateful for tips from the local folk on avoiding being taken advantage of, regardless what I thought of their systems.

I believe I am ''The Peruvian Photographer'' LOL

Not that this matters to the conversation, but while I am here in Lima, and staying here for over a year. I am a US citizen, I am from New Jersey, my business is there and I will be returning to the states sometime in 2013.

Being able to copyright electronically over the web is amazing, just a few years ago this would not have been possible. I have tons of photos I am still processing that I took while in the USA, and any photos I take while I am down here, I can copyright right away instead of waiting till I get home.

I have also sold some images to US based companies while here in South America, and I will be paying the US goverment there proper share (taxes).