Shooting for your own gratification......

Killjoy wrote in post #5182340
What do you folks think? Give them the shots, or give them the bird (so to speak)?

Killjoy,
Of course its up to you, but if it was me and they didn't seem to like the ones I printed for them I would give them the bird/bill....

nicksan wrote in post #5188300
Feel like your are a second class citizen when the Titanic is sinking?

Probably more like steerage. The stewards are saying nothing is wrong while salt water is swirling around your ankles.

I'd at least go for some form of compensation for materials & or time.

I've got around 30 framed photographs @ 30/45cm in one of our many offices. I had them up for free for all to enjoy. The company decided to buy them so we came to a reasonable agreement.
I've also shot a few Xmas parties for the company. We agreed a reasonable price up front.
It will be more difficult to ask for a reasonable compensation (money or otherwise) the more you shoot for free.

It just keeps getting better and better.

They asked me to take a group photo. They agreed to pay me twelve hours of overtime.
Not too bad considering the postprocessing and what-not.
However, they tell me that they own the copyright since I am an employee, and everyone in the photo has granted release as soon as they signed on at the company.

Essentially, Intel has the right to exploit your image for their gain.

Does anyone have any ideas for a watermark? I never considered making one, and I never signed over the rights to my work.

Or maybe I should just tell them that the photos didn't turn out, and maybe they better hire someone else?

You have reached the time to flat out refuse do do any photography for them.

As far as them owning the copyright because you are an employee, it's time to consult an intellectual property lawyer. I kid you not!

Unless I am very mistaken, their ownership would apply only if photography is one of your job requirements. I strongly believe that Intel has no rights to your photographs if they did not hire you as a photographer.

Rest assured their IP lawyers are advising them.

However, as an employee, if they agree to pay you to take photos, then you would be hired as a photographer. If they want photos, keep payment completely separate from your job: no overtime, etc. Make payment a separate contract, in writing, with copyright ownership completely spelled out to mutual satisfaction.

Were it me, I would resond by saying that I would take no photographs for them, period. Nor would I provide them with hi-res versions of the prints they already have.

Also, since you were not hired to take the few photos they already have, and were not hired to be a photographer, they absolutely have no rights to use the pictures they do have in any commercial manner whatsoever.

Whatever you do, agree to nothing that isn't in writing. Period. This is a corporation you're dealing with, and if it ain't written, it ain't so.

You have been warned. Protect yourself.

Yup. I'm done taking photos for them.
Next time they ask, I'll just tell them that I can't do it.

The funny thing is, it all started because I was taking photos for my own enjoyment. Go figure.