Copyright enforcement tip

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I will preface this by saying, register your copyright so that you can pursue all legal options should you find your works being infringed.

This may have already been posted somewhere on here but I thought it was a very nice tool to have at your disposal. Google images ( images.google.com ) Now allows you to search using an image. I believe you drag it to the search box. It will search the entire web for that image. You can find is someone has used it in online advertising, or on their flickr page etc. I guess you have been able to do this for a while now, but this is the first time I realized its potential.

 

[Twisted]

Sorry If I sound dumb but... You do not copyright every photo right? How is this done? You just copyright the name and then it gets attached to all photos you take?

 

[e.rose]

I will preface this by saying, register your copyright so that you can pursue all legal options should you find your works being infringed.

This may have already been posted somewhere on here but I thought it was a very nice tool to have at your disposal. Google images ( images.google.com ) Now allows you to search using an image. I believe you drag it to the search box. It will search the entire web for that image. You can find is someone has used it in online advertising, or on their flickr page etc. I guess you have been able to do this for a while now, but this is the first time I realized its potential.

Every time I've tried this so far it hasn't worked for me. It SHOULD because I have stuff on the internet... so it should AT LEAST show me where *I* have it posted... but I don't think I've gotten any hits from any images I've tried.

 

[Big Mike]

Sorry If I sound dumb but... You do not copyright every photo right? How is this done? You just copyright the name and then it gets attached to all photos you take?

Technically speaking....your photos are copyright protected the instant that you create them. However, you (in the US) can register your photos with the Copyright Office (or whatever) for added protection. I believe it's a flat fee, something like $20. But you can register one image or a disc full of image for that fee.

 

[KmH]

Here in the US you can register by mail using form CO accompanied by a disc of the images. The fee for that option is $50 and you register up to 750 images on each form CO.
http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/in...-register-the-copyrights-for-your-photographs

You can register online. The online fee is $35. You upload your images. http://www.copyright.gov/fls/sl35.pdf
http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/articles/341

From http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf

Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration.Among these advantages are the following:
• Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.
• Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U. S. origin.
• If made before or within five years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.
• If registration is made within three months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.
• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies. For additional information, go to the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website at
www.cbp.gov/.

Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. Unlike the law before 1978, when a work has been registered in unpublished form, it is not necessary to make another registration when the work becomes published,although the copyright owner may register the published edition, if desired.

 

[Twisted]

Ok so you do have to submit each actual image somewhere to register it. That's what I was wondering. Thanks!

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

You must have them registered in order to pursue certain legal actions. However, you still own the copyright regardless if you created the work and can still stop someone from using your work, you just will not be able to seek punitive damages. There are also requirements on having to register copyright within a certain amount of days of the work being published. It can all be found on those pages that KMH provided

 

[KmH]

Ok so you do have to submit each actual image somewhere to register it. That's what I was wondering. Thanks!

No.

You do not have to register a photo for it to be copyrighted, but there are some distinct legal advantages if you do.

The point of registration, is to record your copyright in a public record. Since copyright law is federal law you want the copyright in a federal public record.

You might find the copyright FAQ's page useful: U.S. Copyright Office - Frequently Asked Questions

 

[KmH]

You must have them registered in order to pursue certain legal actions. However, you still own the copyright regardless if you created the work and can still stop someone from using your work, you just will not be able to seek punitive damages. There are also requirements on having to register copyright within a certain amount of days of the work being published. It can all be found on those pages that KMH provided

By the way. Check out www.tineye.com.

 

[480sparky68 67]

17 USC has been unconstitutional since 1790 and is still unconstitutional today.
Google Inc has faced me in US Courts now for three years regarding image search.
Neeley v NameMedia Inc, et al,(5:09-cv-05151)(11-2558)
Visual Art copy+rights were already ruled not to apply to the Internet!
Appeal is pending ...
I am losing against Google Inc thus far ...

Is your Copy & Paste function stuck on Paste or are you just one pissed-off dude?

 

[480sparky68 67]

I am one pissed off dude due to the fact that Google Inc and NameMedia Inc showed my nude art to my daughter while at school against my explicit objections.
Besides - I am VERY copyright aware!

And I think we're all very aware you have an agenda. But please take it elsewhere. I'm already sick of it.

 

[honoryourlife]

Is your Copy & Paste function stuck on Paste or are you just one pissed-off dude?

I am one pissed off dude due to the fact that Google Inc and NameMedia Inc showed my nude art to my daughter while at school against my explicit objections.
Besides - I am VERY copyright aware!

I don't think Google Inc showed your photos to your daughter. I think your daughter found them online. They don't send anyone photos.

Get real buddy.

 

[swissjoel]

I feel this is an often overlooked subject, as clients and photographers often confused by intellectual property and copyright law. I've written an interesting scenario that explains the law to help clear up this tricky subject - what do you think? Link below.

http://www.joelknightphotography.co.uk/#/c..._page/13209.xml

Comments appreciated and please share to raise awareness and spread knowledge.

 

[creisinger]

http://www.joelknightphotography.co.uk/#/c..._page/13209.xml

Comments appreciated and please share to raise awareness and spread knowledge.

Looks good to me. Well explained.

One could go further and also explain the terms "Royalty Free" as many people believe that it means the images are free to use for any purpose but maybe that's written on another page...

 

[KmH]

The light gray text on the white background has very low contrast and is difficult to read. I immediately left your web site with out reading anything.