Photos Copywrited?

[DigitalF]

When I take a picture, is it automatically copywrited under my name? Someone told me it is. Thanks.

[RTaylor]

yes, that someone was right

as long as you are not taking a picture of somene elses art.
Here is a link that might help you and many others here

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/pr...aphy_copyright

[StormPhoto]

In the US, a photo is copyrighted the moment you take it, even if you don't register it with the Copyright Office.

If someone uses that that photo (that you didn't register) without your permission, you can sue them for acutal damages only. If you register the photo you can sue for both actual and punitive damages.

The US copyright office also lets you register collections of photos, with copyright applying to each photo in the collection. This saves much money, as you don't have to pay $30 for each photo in a collection.

Also consider the Creative Commons copyright license.

My copyright policy is to let people use my photos for personal use (e.g. Website, school paper, etc) long as they give me credit. Commerical users of must pay, of course.

To me, the copyright law is designed to protect artists (photogs) from people who are trying to make $$$ off other people's creation without paying the creator(s). Not hassle someone who's using some photos in schoolwork or a personal website.

I think it's better to be out shooting pictures that suing people. I'd rather buy camera gear than pay lawyers. Time in the courtroom is time I'd rather spend taking pictures.