DISQUS

Raoul · 2 years ago

Thanks for this, Jim! Appreciate that you answered my question in such detail, and hope that others can benefit from this important information as well.

jim · 2 years ago

Anytime Raoul. I hope the information proves to be useful.

Trevor Carpenter · 2 years ago

Jim,
I've been reading your blog occaisionally. This post has convinced me that you have valuable information, that I need.

You've gained a committed reader.
Trevor

Whatever-ishere · 2 years ago

thanks for the GREAT post! Very useful...

TranceMist · 1 year ago

Excellent post Jim.

However, part of me believes that this is already a very outdated model.

For those who rely on photography for their primary income, I can see why this model can't readily change.

For us amateurs who do it more "for the enjoyment" sharing is worth way more than copyright.

Something about copyright smacks of protectionism in the sense of "it's mine and you can't have any". Share and we'll all be the richer (if not financially).

Jim Goldstein · 1 year ago

@TranceMist The level of protection provided by the current law and filing process gives a photographer leverage. Leverage that is non-existent if copyrights are not filed. By default we own the copyright to an image once its taken, but if you have a problem with someone using that image in a way you do not approve of then you will have little power to address the problem you face. For better or worse lawyers are less prone to help you unless you pursue a copyright filing. In the end it comes down to payment for services. I would argue that the leverage provided by current copyright law is of benefit to those that are amateur as well as professional.

I am curious if someone decides to use an image of yours without permission and in a way you find offensive... what then? What do you do? Even in Creative Commons literature they recommend perfecting your copyright (aka filing with the Library of Congress). Not doing so just forfeits your rights. Isn't it better to have the full protection behind you and then you can opt to license or distribute as you feel fit? After all we don't forfeit our right to Free Speech if we don't feel we need to speak our mind, we just choose not to.

alex moomey · 4 months ago

this topic doesn't address the overlaps with model rights.