How do you phrase your print release?

[reader0428]

Currently, mine says:

"Permission is granted by Amanda Faucett Photography to [client name]
to print the following images provided to them. If there are any questions regarding the printing of these images, please contact me at 713-419-3884.

Image numbers with print release permission:

[image numbers listed here]"

However, I've never received a personalized print license from any other photographer, they have been much more generic in nature, such as "XYZ Potography gives authorization to print or reproduce the images on the enclosed disc for personal use." I would love to go a more generic route like this, and have the release printed on a nice stock or on a CD case, but how does such a generic release protect the photographer's rights if the use of the images was called into question? How does the printing lab know that I have the rights to the particular images I'm printing? (And twice this year, I've had clients ask me to resend their print release because their local lab wouldn't release their prints without it!) At least with the personalized licence including the file numbers, it's clear which images they have the rights to print (provided the client hasn't changed the file name).

Thoughts?

[Redneck]

I mention the title of the CD in the print release, like

"This license grants _____________________________________
and their immediate family the right to print, or have printed, any of the images on the disc
_____________________________________. ..."

Of course that title needs to be visible on that CD (I do it with Lightscribe).

[Daniel W.]

I have a template in Pages (iWork) and export a PDF that's on the disc they get with the client name in the "client:" field. Has the legal stuff, followed by a series of bullets that clearly (in normal human speak) lay out what is and isn't okay.

And then at the bottom in bold, instructions to the lab. "Client/holder of disc has permission to print, in relation to the aforementioned conditions. Images are 300DPI JPEG in sRGB. If possible, disable automatic optimization as some images are intentionally low-contrast or color-toned. If there are any questions..." blah blah contact info.

One thing I do note on their is that I guarantee up to 12x18 prints as far as "pixel clarity" goes, anything larger and every lab's process varies and things get a little bit iffy. Even with color/contrast accuracy it can be utter crap (which is why I also refer them to a quality place like Mpix when they get a CD)

[mrsrice22]

In lightroom it gives you the option to add in Metadata and in there you can put in a title, caption, description, copyright, etc. Would that be enough for a local print lab along with a print release?

[brad]

My release has gone through a lot of refinements over the last several years....

I, Bradly J. Barton (hereinafter referred to as the “Assignor”), located at 2100 N Highway 360 #1904, Grand Prairie Texas, am the creator and owner of the following named works and;

Do hereby transfer and assign to ________________________________________________, his or her heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns (hereinafter referred to as the “Assignee”), the rights to reproduce the following named works for the following purposes:

1. Self promotion, including (but not limited to) print, electronic, and Internet.
2. Assignee’s businesses, as long as said businesses are not in direct competition with the Assignor’s businesses including, but not limited to, Photography and Photographic or Graphics Design Services.
3. Reproduction or electronic distribution for personal use, including (but not limited to) gifts to friends and family or placement in personal albums, but not where restricted below.

This assignment explicitly does not include:

1. Any other commercial use, except as granted above.
2. Resale of prints or other forms of reproduction known now or invented in the future, including works derived from these original works.
3. Any usage which either implies or directly states Assignor is not the creator of named works.
4. Derivatives of the works not explicitly granted in writing by Assignor
5. Any other use not explicitly granted above.

Creation Date of Named Works: ____________________

Image ID Numbers of Named Works:

------

#2 on the first list and #3 on the second list were added because someone actually tried... he took the actor headshots I'd done of him (along with a stylist and set coach) and used them as examples of what his new business providing the same services could do for people.

Yes, people have big brass ones sometimes.

[kayumangi]

Very very thorough brad, mind if I copy it?

Merry Christmas in advance =)

[brad]

Nope.. that's why I shared it. Feel free to adapt it for your own use.

[brad]

That is, by the way, my standard release when I sell a CD to actors, business people, and even the rare portrait client (usually they do not purchase digital images).

[kayumangi]

@Brad: I haven't had any issues with the album covers and posters I did with my generic release but it's always better to be prepared, thanks a bunch.


@Amanda: I concur with you and I think Brad's version is spot on.

[Flores]

you might want to put the text as a jpg image on the CD as well, so it can be seen at CVS, walmart, or where ever they end up taking the CD.

[brad]

Paul - On the other side of my release, I tell them how the CD is organized, remind them of copyright, and recommend they use mpix.com to have them printed because the quality will be higher than at any one hour photo place on the corner.

[Daniel W.]

Originally Posted by mrsrice22

In lightroom it gives you the option to add in Metadata and in there you can put in a title, caption, description, copyright, etc. Would that be enough for a local print lab along with a print release?

In a perfect world yes, but no. All systems are different and every time I've even mentioned something like "EXIF" or "metadata" to a lab tech at the corner store, I've gotten blank looks. For most situations when they're printing on a Fuji or Noritsu or whatnot, the system includes a "closed" software program that only allows the operator to view the image and make adjustments, and then select size/amount. Essentially the amount of control you have printing from the kiosk is the same for them except with viewing of all orders and re-printing and whatnot.

Even at a place like Kinkos, sorry, "FedEx Home Office" they are able to pull images up on the associate's computer with Photoshop but its highly unlikely they check EXIF/IPTC.

[mrsrice22]

Thanks Brad! I've been trying to piece together a print release for sometime and yours pretty much sums it all up!

Another thought: If they buy the images and have limited rights, does anyone also require that when they publish digital images on their blog, website, social networking sites, etc that they must add some sort of link back to your website? I visited a past client's blog not long ago and found a post with the images from our session but no indication at all of who the photographer was, only "We had our family photos done recently and here are our fav's!". I was a bit irked that if they enjoyed them enough to share that they would have given credit back to me, either by a link back to my website or mentioning the business name or even my name.

[brad]

On the CD, I include the full res versions and the smaller, already sized for web versions that have the visible watermark.... I tell them in person that I'd like them to use those when posting online, but I do not (as yet) require it.

For example:

[astrobrian]

Just came across this thread and I have to wonder if Brad is a lawyer :) That was perfectly written.