Top 10 copyright tips for protecting your photography business

Topic: Copyright
Time Investment: 25 Minutes
Suggested Product: Ultimate Copyright Kit

We have our Top 10 copyright tips for protecting your photography business! One of the best investments of time and energy you can make as a photographer is to understand copyright and how you as the owner of a photography business can interact effectively with the law and protect your images and other intellectual property assets.

Without further ado, here are 10 articles to help you understand copyright and what it means for your business:

Let’s break down these articles, to help you prioritize which articles to read first – we are all about making use of your time effectively!

A photographer’s quick guide to photography copyright law

Copyright infringement is the use of photographs protected by copyright laws without the permission of the copyright owner. This is a quick guide that covers the basics of copyright law that every photographer needs to know! If you’ve only got 5 minutes, start here.

Photography copyright laws

A little bit deeper dive into the copyright law essentials every photographer needs to know. The best way to prevent legal issues is to be educated and forearmed, and this article is a great place to start! We talk FAQ’s on copyright law, and ways you can prevent problems before they arise. Think of this as Copyright 101.

What to do if someone violates your images: copyright infringement for photographers

This is one of our most popular articles! Copyright infringement is a matter of when, not if, for every photographer. Whether ignorance or intentional, having your images stolen is never fun. This article takes you step-by-step through the process of responding to clients or others who commit copyright infringement. We’ve got your back!

How to transfer copyright to another party

Maybe you want to sell or transfer some of your rights to another party, how do you do that? This article explains how. Or what if you want to make it possible for your portrait or wedding clients to have digital images printed by a print store, but want to protect your rights otherwise? Copyright is an asset, let’s make it work for you!

Stop messing up my art! That’s violating copyright!: Legal tips for photographers

We get it. You’re frustrated. We’re frustrated. How do you educate your clients about copyright? We share some great tips!

Photography copyright misuse: only the smile remained

How much “editing” is too much? Maybe you have provided consent or a non-exclusive right to use a specific photograph, but then the client has gone ahead and digitally edited the image. Is this considered copyright infringement? This article explains how you answer the infringement question.

Is a Pinterest inspiration board photography copyright infringement?

New platforms give rise to new legal questions! Pinterest is no different. This article is all about making sure that you don’t inadvertently fall foul of copyright law in the way you use Pinterest and their boards! We love making use of new technology as we build relationships with our clients – let’s work through how to use Pinterest to make our photoshoots both Pinterest -perfect and copyright-law compliant!

What if my client asks for copyright?

Before you get defensive and automatically say “No,” let’s talk about how you evaluate requests to purchase copyright or different types of usage licenses. This article details a simple process you can adapt to evaluate requests, make sure you understand your rights, and help you make better decisions with regard to client requests and intellectual property assets, including copyright. Sometimes it is more than just about the question.

What is fair use and how does it affect the copyright of my photos?

People throw around the term “fair use,” but what does it actually mean, and how does it change or limit copyright that you may hold in your images? Understanding what this doctrine is and how it can impact your work is critical, whether professional or hobbyist. This article breaks “fair use” down for you.

The DMCA takedown: How to protect your copyright

When someone uses one of your images without permission or credit, it can be difficult to know what to do. Many times it can be solved by a simple email request to remove the content or a cease and desist letter. However, if these remedies do not work, a DMCA Takedown notice can be your next step. This is a step-by-step guide to making a DMCA takedown request.