Copyrighting / Registering a photo

[eachica]

You'll have to excuse my ignorance on the subject, but I am very new

to the industry and have recently just started selling my

photographs. I have this one <a

href="http://www.photo.net/photo/2702330"

target="_blank">photo</a>, that is selling faster than I can print

it. I also plan to take this shot to Florida State University and

Seminole Boosters for resale on prints. I am now thinking that I

must copyright/register the photo officially before I do this. I am

very unsure of the steps that I need to take, if at all, to

accomplish this. Can anyone help or advise me? Thanks so much for

your time.

[ransomsix]

For some reason the link gave me an error, but you should copyright your work, especially

if it's being sold or used commercially in any way. I'm not sure what the image is because

the link errored, but if it's something related to that university you plan to sell to you may

need to get their permission for resale if it's an icon or something of that nature.

 

Copyright registration is easy just go to www.copyright.gov and find all the info and forms

you will need. Send in $30 with your images you wish to copyright, and you're good to go.

Well worth it in the long run. All the info you need is on that US gov web site.

[bert_krages1]

You should definitely register this image with the Copyright Office. As stated above, the forms are available at the U.S. Copyright Office's website and are easy to complete. I would strongly recommend that you start registering your workflow as a matter of course. Unpublished images, <i>i.e.</i>, those not yet offered for sale, can be registered as "collections" which means that you can register an unlimited number of images for the same $30 fee. More details can be found on my <A HREF="http://www.krages.com//copy1.htm">copyright page</A>.

[eachica]

Thanks Jared & Bert. Gonna do it. ;) I appreciate your time and guidance.

[eachica]

Jared - BTW the image can be found here:<br>

http://www.photo.net/photo/2702330<br>

Thanks again.

[ransomsix]

In addition, you can send them a whole cd full of images for the same 30 dollar fee, so if I

were you, if you've got some stuff kicking around on your computer send that along with

it. If you're going through the process it doesn't hurt to take a little time and get them all

you can. Technically after you've pushed the button, you are the copyright holder of the

photograph. A lot of people stop there, but by taking the step of registering your work

with the copyright office you get a lot more leverage out of the deal. You'd be suprised

how many photographer's have stories of where their work has turned up, myself

included. Especially with the internet these days, if you've got work online, poachers can

access low resolution images and while they're low res and you wouldn't think they'd do

anything with them, you'd be suprised.

[rubens_abboud]

<p>First, congratulations on the success of your image.</p>

<p>To register your copyright you can follow the instructions outlined in the tutorial offered by the ASMP. If your image has been sold as prints, then it is considered "published".</p>

<p>http://www.asmp.org/commerce/legal/copyright/</p>

<p>By the way, if you have other "published" images, you *CAN* group register your copyright for them with a single $30 fee. I did so myself last week for about 1,000 of my images, using form VA + GR/PPh.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Rubens.<br>

<a href="http://www.theimagenation.com">Travel stock photography at www.TheImageNation.com</a></p>

[frang]

Thanks, all, for the information. I had nearly the exact same question, so I'm glad I looked before asking!