Copyright workflow

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kurt765
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p.1 #1 · Copyright workflow

How do you go about copyrighting your work? Or do you?

Technically speaking, your images are copyright just upon the act of creating the image (clicking the shutter). However, it is my understanding that the law gives you advantages when you register with the copyright office, such as being able to sue for damages. This of course costs money.

When you get back from a shoot, would you post a photo online before registering it with the copyright office?
Would you start registration and then post (publish) online?
Would you do registration after you have already posted an image online? I'm assuming posting online counts as publishing in copyright nomenclature.

Just wondering what other photographers do. Cheers.

-K

Sep 29, 2012 at 12:45 AM

lukeb
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p.1 #2 · Copyright workflow

Basic Primer here:
http://www.peterkrogh.com/copyright/main.html

Copyright Office:
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl107.html

Sep 29, 2012 at 01:08 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #3 · Copyright workflow

Part of the distinction @ registered images vs. unregistered images is that the attorney's fees can be awarded in addition to the actual damages (monetary loss) and a punitive (punishment) award can be awarded also. The amount can be as high as $150,000 (iirc).

As to the workflow @ registration, you have roughly three months to register them. So, you don't have to concern yourself with registration in the course of your regular workflow. With a 3 month window (or 90 days, I forget which), that basically means you just need to submit your work for registration 4 or 5 times a year to always have all your work registered. A quick look, at one of the links seems to suggest that a bulk (calendar year) option might be available in addition to the three month window. I'm not current on any changes that have occurred in the last couple years ... but this is the gist of it.

Ed Greenberg and Carolyn Wright are a couple of attorneys that are well versed on the matter, with Ed having some materials (book /DVD) to further enlighten us on the subject.

http://thecopyrightzone.com/?page_id=193
Ed

http://www.photoattorney.com/
Carolyn

Sep 29, 2012 at 02:11 AM

BluesWest
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p.1 #4 · Copyright workflow

As to the workflow @ registration, you have roughly three months to register them.

I don't think this is correct. As I understand it, the three month time limit for copyright registration refers to time after publication, not time after creation.

John

Sep 29, 2012 at 03:21 PM

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