Today I clicked on a link about San Miguel and while I'm reading it, I noticed the image. Mmmm....looks familiar. I checked and it is my image. I did some photography for someone for a brochure and a magazine article. I asked them to give me a photo credit which didn't end up in the brochure. Now I find the image used somewhere else. This is a good lesson. I didn't get it in writing that the use of the photographs was limited and required giving credit to me. It isn't something that is going to keep me awake at night but it is a good reminder to protect my work from unauthorized use.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Getting It in Writing
Today I clicked on a link about San Miguel and while I'm reading it, I noticed the image. Mmmm....looks familiar. I checked and it is my image. I did some photography for someone for a brochure and a magazine article. I asked them to give me a photo credit which didn't end up in the brochure. Now I find the image used somewhere else. This is a good lesson. I didn't get it in writing that the use of the photographs was limited and required giving credit to me. It isn't something that is going to keep me awake at night but it is a good reminder to protect my work from unauthorized use.
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8 comments:
I actually noticed that photo while reading an article. Didn't know it was yours, but since it stood out to me, I guess I am saying that your photos are memorable.
I can imagine that it isn't a good feeling to find your work "borrowed" for other purposes.
Good luck with the ankle on Monday.
Send them an invoice for the fair use of your photo (maybe $100 - but that's up to you) and tell them that in exchange for their payment to you you will retroactively grant them one time limited use of the photo and forego your right to sue them for copyright infringement and damages related to unauthorized usage.
Billie - I don't understand why someone would begrudge you the photo credit. It's not like you're asking for money for the photos, but you definitely deserve credit. Maybe the photo had "traveled" through so many users your name couldn't be tracked down. Regardless, it's a pity.
Amiga - This could be taken as flattery. My take on this is steal my pictures and/or my words so in the end more will see and read them - but then I am a professional at nothing merely a picture and word vendor at any or no cost ;-) A fine photo it is by the way ;-)
Juan Calypso
Thanks to all of you and Fran, I like the way you think but I have to admit that this is a muddy situation because I didn't get everything in writing to begin with.
Billie..I don't think you have to 'get it in writing' that someone or some group (that didn't even give you the credit they promised) can't give your image to someone else to use...if they even did that....maybe the someone else took it without your permission or the permission of the first group. I like Fran's idea and $100 seems like a very reasonable request for a one time usage and the agreement not to pursue legal proceedings. If nothing else it would be interesting to see what they write back.
Sue the bastards! Theft is theft. All right, send them a demand letter with your invoice. And charge 'em more than a measly $100 for your efforts.
Get back on your feet soon, because at least one reader is missing your food-related posts.
Hey mom,
If you want me and the other boys to pay them a visit--you know, rough 'em up a bit--you just say the word. We'll get on our horses and be there...or at least wirte them a really strong letter...but not too strong as to hurt their feelings...but you know, something that at least tells them that we are angry...well, maybe not angry. That is kind of a harsh term. Maybe a post card that says something stern...but with a nice stamp on it...maybe a flower or something. You just say the word.
Your passive militant son
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