Copyright and such??

[D40]

Few questions:

- Can anyone explain how the copyright thing works? If I take a picture do I automatically have the copyright or do I have to get something to make it the copyright official?

- What is the rules of selling photos (Spacifically concert photos)? I have some great shots from the concert I went to and think some are selling quallity but I want to do it legally and would like to know what I need to do to do so?

- How do you go about selling say posters? Or how do you guys (galls usually sell your stuff?

For an example you can go to the C&C thread and look at my thread on the concert shots and see what I am talking about.

Thanks
~John

 

[Big Mike]

- Can anyone explain how the copyright thing works? If I take a picture do I automatically have the copyright or do I have to get something to make it the copyright official?

It depends. In the US, for the most part, the photographer automatically has the rights to the photos as soon as they are created. You can register photos with the US Copyright office, or something like that, which makes it much easier to enforce your copyright...but you don't need to do that.

- What is the rules of selling photos (Specifically concert photos)? I have some great shots from the concert I went to and think some are selling quallity but I want to do it legally and would like to know what I need to do to do so?

That's a tricky one. You were probably on private property when you shot the photos and maybe you purchased a ticket. Often, when you purchase a ticket to an event, you are agreeing to abide by the house rules...which may have a clause about photography. Typically, the venues and the acts will want to protect themselves so unless you were an authorized photographer at the event...you probably don't have the right to use any of the photos.

Also, there is the issue of 'fair use' vs for profit. 'Fair use' would be taking photos to use in a newspaper etc. It's a different story if you want to make a profit from selling the images. Then you need to consider things like who in in the photos and model releases and other copyrights. Basically, if you wanted to sell posters from the images you took...you would need a model release from any recognizable person in that photos...which possibly might include anyone in the audience.

I'm not a lawyer, the best thing to do would be to get advice from a lawyer in your area.

 

[D40]

I should have put in there that the concert was on CIU campus and was a free concert that the artist did as part of a radio stations birthday bash. They do this once a year I think. I would need a model release from the main singer and the drummer in the one I like the most. That will be hard to get as I cant find a way to contact them I thought about sending the photo to the artist for him to have but can't find any way to contact him. Thanks, I thought that the copyright thing was automatic but was not sure.

 

[Jestev]

Any chance you could post it up? I'd like to see it.

What Mike said is the way I consider copyrights.

 

[D40]

Sure This is the one I had in mind:

Another good one:

 

[chrisburke]

nice pics, in reality, who would be buying the posters?

 

[D40]

True but I was wanting to know how all that works

 

[Augphoto]

Nice photos D40.

 

[Mike_E]

Tracking down the band shouldn't be hard. Find out who booked the bands and ask them.

Musicians being musicians usually appreciate promotional material. Especially when it's free. So, do up a few of you very best with your name and (c) on the bottom out of the way and some text - "[bands name]" so that it doesn't cover up any of the important bits. And either offer them for free or to sell them for promotional material is that is your intent.

Back in the day, I made a nice chunk of change (for me at the time) with creative printing and a staple gun promoting various bands.

just a thought

mike