Copyright logos on prints you sell?

[Sonny]

Let me explain the whole situation.

I had a recent customer of mine call me up and ask if I would give him permission to "blow up" a 4x6 print into a 20x30 print. If I agreed I needed to contact his local Walgreens photo center so they would release the print to my customer.

He scanned a 4x6 print I sold to him and uploaded the digital image to Walgreens web site. Then the Walgreens lab (off site lab) print the 20x30 and shipped it to the local Walgreens store. Along with the print the off site lab informed the Walgreens employees NOT to release the 20x30 print until my customer provided Walgreens with a copright release form signed by me.

Of course I did not give him permission. We also tried to work out something with this customer to purchase a 20x30 print from us with a discount since he has purchase from us before, but he has not replied to our phone calls or emails. Honestly I don't think he will.

Now to my question. How common is it for photographers to add a small copyright logo to one of the coners of the photo so that it does not interfere with the image? We are also think about printing the same copyright info on the back of the prints. My print lab offers this service.

[mobilezen]

You answered your own question sort of...

1) your customer made an error but Walgreens did the ultimate error...lawsuit maybe?

2) watermark your prints. I know I would and I do. Sometimes its nice to have nothing on the pic but then again, people replicate pics for their own pleasure or gallery.

[robert t]

But Walgreens didn't release the print. They did good.

[mobilezen]

Originally Posted by robert t

But Walgreens didn't release the print. They did good.

Ah yes...that's true. I read that too fast. :)

[kenw]

Yes, I place a copyright symbol, year and my name on each print I sell. I just use a nicer looking font, sized and colored appropriately. You have to be careful on placement so that it still looks ok when matted.

examples in my gallery.

[Sonny]

anybody else?

[suzyjazz]

I've wanted to print on the front but I wasn't sure how to size it or what it would actually look like when printed. I guess I will try it. As of now, I just put clear labels on the back.