copyright question

[photoefx]

Ok, let's say a clothing company sends you some of their clothes to use in a photoshoot. You take the photos, the company uses the pictures on thir web site and everyone is happy. Than, a few weeks later you see some of your copyrighted pictures show up on another website advertising something else. On each photo you can clearly see the copyright logo. Can anyone use any picture that are posted on the web for anything they like, or as photographers are we protected by copyright laws?

[johnnyolsen]

you're protected. for the record one doesn't need to have the copyright text visible on the photo. it's copyrighted whether there's text there or not. you must register your copyright in wash DC to be able to collect any real damages though. good news is you still have time.

write a nice note first, then flame away. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[rjwarren]

I guess one question is what kind of copyright release did you give the company that gave you the clothes? If it permitted transfer of the copyright usage then they could have provided the images to the second site under that agreement. And it may appear that the second web site is ripping you off - but it could be a site that is owned by the company that provided you the clothes. Does your copyright release limit the usage to just the initial company and not subsidiaries?

The web doesn't effect copyright in any way. First, write them a nice, polite e-mail asking them to take the images down or pay you a reasonable fee. If that doesn't work, write their ISP/host and ask that they take the site down for stealing your intellectual property and violating copyright law.

Check it out before you write - and take a look at the copyright release / assignment that you provided or signed for the company that provided the clothing.

Bob

[photoefx]

Bob, the photos were taken for the company only. It's a small cpmpany. I spoke with the owner of the company this morning and she did not autherize the use of the photo's either. Thank's for the answer, Bill