Copyright release

[dlanter]

If I am giving a customer a CD or DVD with hi res images for them to do their own printing, do I need to also give them a copywrite release of some sort so they don't have problems getting prints from a lab? I would think that the release would need to give permission to print only, not to edit or sell.
Thanks
Dan

[mccls1030]

Hi Dan, I don't know what the protocol is, but I have done this since I know there are some printing places that truly honor our copyrights.
Sharon

[lucian]

I always provide a release as well. Most of the printers in this area will demand one before they will give you the prints.

[haraki74]

Hang on....do you want to give them your copyright or just permission to print your copyrighted images?

[rogerfsmith]

You just give them a short statement in writing that acknowledges that you are the copyright holder and that you are granting them the right to have prints made from the photos on the CD. You can put any restrictions on other uses specifically in the document that you want. For instance you might state that the copyright notice must be left intact on the photo (assuming you've used some process to put your notice on each photo on the CD).
Cheers,
Roger

[ambidawn]

PM sent

[ambidawn]

Here is a copy of the release I use:

(photographer's name), with (Studio Name), will release a copy of your original image files with the delivery of your completed printed images. (photographer's name) grants the right to reprint any image from the original files for personal use only. (photographer's name) retains the ownership and copyright of all images. The client may not sell, enter competitions, nor make commercial use of any image. Any use other than personal reproduction is subject to current Federal Copyright laws. In addition, (photographer's name) is entitled to all monies gained through the unauthorized use or sale of images. (photographer's name) reserves the right to use images for advertising, display, publication or other purposes.

I Just type it up in word with my studio info and then export it to a PDF file. I include the PDF file on the CD with the images. Although, I only do this when the client has purchased select images. I would not recommend releasing all of your photos to the client. That could potentially hurt you in the long run.

[OTRphoto]

I print the following out on letterhead and include with the CD/DVD. I hadn't thought about including it as a pdf on the actual media.. I'll have to remember and start doing that.

[date]

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Melinda Kurtti and I am the owner, photographer, and copyright holder of all images taken by Other Than Roses Photography.

I hereby grant [model name] (or his/her Parent/Legal Guardian if minor) my permission to make unlimited printed or developed photographs, for their personal use, using this CD-ROM of their Portrait images titled “[cd/dvd title]”.

If you should have any questions regarding the authenticity of this document or the terms herewith, please contact me at.

Phone # 210.xxx.xxxx

Email: mel@otherthanroses.com


Sincerely,



Melinda Kurtti (photographer and copyright holder)
OTRPhoto.com

[dlanter]

Thanks all for the great information.
Dan

[brad]

Here is mine.... feel free to modify it for your own purposes.

[jon_k]

How does this even work?

1) Client brings an image Cd in
2) Printer says this is copryighted, they can't print it without permission

How does the printer know? EXIF info under the copyright tag? Or a big watermark or something?

[brad]

Walmart/Walgreens lab folks will refuse to print it if it even LOOKS like a professional took them.... the release is just a formality in case it happens.

[Raiderphotog07]

As a person that works as a photo lab tech at Sam's Club for income while I'm in college, there are several things that we look for.

Obviously if they have a copyright or logo on the photo, then we ask for a copyright release. Or, if the photos look like a higher quality, selective color, or other extra edits, I usually at least ask if a professional took them. Most of the time, our members are honest and admit that the photos were done professionally if they were.

If they do lie, there is really no way that we can prove they were taken professionally unless they have a logo or copyright on them. Our machines don't give us access to the EXIF data. Also, it has become harder to tell by the pixel size of the image because of the MP of P&S now-a-days.

If they were taken professionally, we have to either have a copy of the copyright release letter from the photographer or have the signature of the photographer on a copyright release we have available before we sell the prints (we still print them, we just refuse to sell them until we get a release). On that form, the photographer is allowed to limit the sizes and amount of prints their customer can print, and when the copyright release expires, which may give you some ideas for your copyright release. If they are limited, we fully respect the photographer's release.

[jon_k]

Originally Posted by Raiderphotog07

As a person that works as a photo lab tech at Sam's Club for income while I'm in college, there are several things that we look for.
.

Definitely less than perfect way of identification, but at least they try. Was just curious which means, and it's as much as I figured. Watermarks are paramount, EXIF is ignored.

If I ever do high res proofs I'll watermark the hell out of the images. Actually, might as well put a huge semi-translucent text that says PROOF across the picture. That way it'll be obvious and nobody wants to frame a picture with PROOF put diagonally across the frame. ;-)

[LoungeLizard]

I include a limited rights non-commercial use copyright release along with printing instructions as a file on the root directory of the CD/DVD. I also include my copyright and a statement about it on the CD/DVD label.

Of course they can always copy them to another disk, upload them, etc., etc. Once the cat is out of the bag, it's gone.