PDA

View Full Version : Copyrighting

macmassey
Nov-11-2007, 01:18 PM
Are photos I take and upload on my Smugmug page automatically copyrighted? I am not in any way a professional photographer nor do I try to sell my photos. I'm an amateur with an excellent point and shoot (Panasonic Lumix FZ20) who loves to take pictures. I absolutely do plan on moving up to a DSLR. Having said that, I value my photos and would like to think they are protected to some degree. Any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.
gus
Nov-11-2007, 01:24 PM
Are photos I take and upload on my Smugmug page automatically copyrighted? I am not in any way a professional photographer nor do I try to sell my photos. I'm an amateur with an excellent point and shoot (Panasonic Lumix FZ20) who loves to take pictures. I absolutely do plan on moving up to a DSLR. Having said that, I value my photos and would like to think they are protected to some degree. Any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated.
The instant you press the camera button...the photo is copyrighted to you. Its your photo. You can add a copyrigtht watermark to the photo prior to uploading to SM if you like or the pro account has a watermark feature.
Icebear
Nov-11-2007, 03:38 PM
You say "protected in some way" and that's where my confusion comes from. As Gus said, you own the photos you take, unless you were doing "work for hire" which I doubt. What that means is that the law says they're your photos, to sell, give away, or license as YOU see fit. Your "protection" in that case is only what you're willing to pursue through the courts though. Not really practical for most of us.

I don't know what kind of Smugmug account you have, but at least with a Pro account, there are any number of ways for you to more physically "protect" your image. I suspect, though don't feel like taking the time to research it :wink that even a basic account allows you to establish some form of protection from people ripping off your image. Check out the options under "customize this gallery".

Hope this helps some.
Angelo
Nov-12-2007, 07:51 PM
SEARCH is your friend!

At the top of this forum is a sticky with bunches and bunches of information regarding copyright...

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=66709

:thumb
macmassey
Nov-13-2007, 04:19 PM
SEARCH is your friend!

At the top of this forum is a sticky with bunches and bunches of information regarding copyright...

http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=66709

:thumb
Thanks all of you guys for the feedback!