It is ILLEGAL to copy or reproduce copyright Images or photographs elsewhere without our written permission, and violators of this Federal Law will be subject to civil and criminal penalties. The Copyright Act protects photographers by giving the author of the photograph the exclusive right to reproduce your photographs. This includes the right to control the making of
copies.
What is copyright?
The exclusive right to make and distribute copies of, publicly display or publish
a photograph.
When are photographs copyrighted?
As soon as they are created by the photographer.
Who owns the copyright to a photograph?
The photographer who created it.
What is copyright infringement?
Copying a photograph or image without written permission of the copyright owner. This includes copying using a photocopier, a photographic copy, a digital copy stand or copy station, or scanning into a computer.
If I buy a photograph, don’t I have the right to copy it?
Absolutely not!
Copyright can only be transferred in writing by the owner, the photographer. The sale of a print does not include the copyright to that image.
Simply stated, someone who purchases a professional photograph is in much the same position as someone who buys a book. They own the physical book, but they do not own the copyright, and they do not have the right to have additional copies made.
Do photographs have to be marked with a copyright ©, notice to be
protected?
No mark is required anywhere on the print. If it looks professionally done, and is, under the law it is copyrighted.
How long does copyright last?
Protection from copying lasts the life of the photographer plus 70 years.
What kind of penalty can result from illegal copying?
Court settlements have ranged from $10,000 to $150,000.
If you would like more information about copyright visit this site. http://www.whatiscopyright.org
The information post on the site is plain language that is easy to understand.
**Copied from and with permission from Crystal Blackwell