07.08.12
Professional Photographer's tip week: Copyright, Tip 2
It’s day two in our copyright themed week here at Professional Photographer, so that means it’s time to reveal tip number 2.
Today’s copyright tip is about drawing up a contract:
Watermarks are a pretty good start for photographers who want to copyright their images, but it's also important to draw up a contract. Photographers are being warned that people who help set up a photo shoot may later claim copyright if a written agreement is not drawn up beforehand.
This warning came after a recent news story following the court case between Karren Brady, who stars in The Apprentice and professional photographer Tyson Sadlo, over who had the copyright to his images.
It all kicked off over a contract that Sadlo reports he never saw or received, concerning the consent to distribute his images worldwide.
Sadlo today won the rights over six images.
So what’s the best way to go about setting up a contract with a photo shoot client, or any other client?
*Firstly you need to establish exactly what your copyright ownerships are and what you want to do with them:
copyrightservice.co.uk
*Once you have established your contract it's a good idea to draw up a license, should any of your clients want to use your images. The client cannot then use your images beyond the scope of your agreement:
simply-docs.co.uk
*If you want to release the copyright to a client then you can fill out a form to cover yourself. Click here for examples of model release and location release forms, which allow you to distribute the images of that person or place to promote your own business, once they've signed it.
If you do decide to use the release forms then remember to draw up a fresh contract and release form for each new client and keep records and copies safely tucked away, just in case.
What are your experiences with clients and copyright? Have your experiences been good or bad? Share them with us below or post them on our Facebook or Twitter pages.
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