Photography Copyright info
June 25, 2009
Copyright is a confusing issue. I don’t claim to have legal training and this is not to be taken as legal advice, but it is my understanding that the photographer has automatic copyright over their work. If you have been paid (commissioned) to take photos; for example if you work for a newspaper or magazine and it is part of your job to take photos the company hiring you will generally own the copyright of the pictures.
If you are just taking pictures for yourself you will have automatic copyright. You can but don’t have to register it anywhere.
Copyright is not transferred to someone when they purchase a digital image. They are paying for the use of the image and they can’t onsell the digital form or the image, just the product they create.
Here is an excellent article on what you can take photos of and what you can’t and your rights as a photographer by Andrew Kantors Legal Rights of Photographers
When I find a resource to help clarify issues on Copyright and Photography, I add them here :
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