Copyright, Do You or Don't You?

[andyz]

Do you register your work at the US copyright office? Are you a pro? If you do, what size images do you send in, I assume on DVD or CD?

[nyphotopro]

Do I register my photos? Yeppers.

Am I a pro? Yeppers, again.

Here's a website with some quick and easy answers and links to copyright application forms, and other information at the US Copyright Office: http://www.photosecrets.com/tips.copyright.html

Best wishes,

[bondarnes]

I don't register my portrait and wedding images and I am a professional. I try to educate my clients about copyright, but I don't think it would be good for business to actually go after an infringer. I might try to put the fear of prosecution into them, but I'm sure it would cost more than I could ever recover. I do register the commercial work that I do.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

I don't register my portrait and wedding images and I am a professional. I try to educate my clients about copyright, but I don't think it would be good for business to actually go after an infringer. I might try to put the fear of prosecution into them, but I'm sure it would cost more than I could ever recover. I do register the commercial work that I do.

I do everything ...
and sometimes it may be as many as several DVDs a month (I just make copies of my backup sets) and send em off...
But I agree with Don ... portrait and wedding work I would not go after anyone on ... Commercial stuff I have in the past leveled an infrenger and having the work registered ended all of their excuses.

[picman]

From my understanding - if you don't register and are infringed, the best you can collect is actual damages. (What ever the image was worth if you sold it)
If you have registered then you can go after punitive damages as well - things that make lawyers tingly all over.

[snidow]

Do you register your work at the US copyright office? Yes and they are working on an online process that will be $35, looking forward to that!

Are you a pro? - working on it.

What size images do you send in - Small res photos on CD.

Also for those that might be interested check out PicScout.com they check the web for your photos for you, for a monthly fee of course. They also settle the matter with who ever is illegally using the photo, also for a fee 30% of what is recovered.

[zach-e2]

Originally Posted by picman

From my understanding - if you don't register and are infringed, the best you can collect is actual damages. (What ever the image was worth if you sold it)
If you have registered then you can go after punitive damages as well - things that make lawyers tingly all over.

ha! greatly stated!