Digital camera & digital photography resources
for professional & amateur photographers

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

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

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/p...raphy_copyright

__________________
http://www.pbase.com/reflectionsbyruth
_______________________________________

Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter. -Ansel Adams

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

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.

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged

Of course it is, except for you take the photo by imitating others' works!

PS. After taking the photo, you can use some photo edit software to make your photos artistic. For example, Photo Collage Studio.

__________________
Enjoy my life!
http://flashslideshow.blogspot.com

Last edited by YYphoto on Mar 1st, 2006 at 09:25 AM

Report this to a moderator | IP: Logged