Copyright, sharing and relaxing your togs…

Copyright is a touchy subject for many people in media but not because they are concerned about someone using their work. It is because we in the media are terrified of an artist coming back and claiming their work was misused and filing a copyright claim…

Now focusing on photography, I have had many an issue with photographers claiming their work was misused because for some reason, photographers are SUPER touchy on any of their work being used without credit, payment, recognition globally and sometimes even a big bowl of chocolates with a thank you card. (No joke, I sent a gift pack to a photographer begging them to let me use an image they took of me for promotion many years ago).

But really, Photographers (I call them Togs) need their recognition and so they should as like musicians, they slave over their equipment, practiced shooting methods, spent hours learning editing techniques etc. It’s a big, long process that needs respect! Half the time I have ever had an issue is really only because I just simply didn’t know the key rules to how to use someone’s art…

So, let me explain…

Using someone’s photos is ok ONLY under permission given by the person creating it EXCEPT for a few small areas… For Example,

If you commission a photographer and pay them. The work they take is the sole ownership of yourself unless otherwise agreed upon. Copyright Ownership defaults to yourself and you can go forth and utilise it how you see fit. A lot of photographers do not know this rule and claim copyright infringement where it isn’t needed. Easy fix.

Just talk to your tog!

If your photo has been taken by a photographer and you find it on a website somewhere. You MUST contact the photographer and ask if it is ok to utilise the photo for your own use. It is owned by the Tog and the Tog alone regardless of the fact your mug is in the picture.

You are allowed to tell a photographer to stop taking your photo when you are inside a private venue. Regardless of if a venue manager has hired a photographer if you say no, the tog MUST not capture your image… HOWEVER…

Once you are outside, the rules of privacy do not apply in this area. Photographers are free to take your photo and there is, unfortunately, nothing you can do to stop them. I believe this is why the paparazzi are allowed to get away with some of the random crap they get up to. Also, probably the reason why paparazzi have their camera’s thrown across the footpath from grumpy super stars…

A simple rule of thumb and a much easier way to address all of this…

If you want to use an image you find online for a gig promo, ask the owner if it is ok. If you can’t find the owner’s details, find another image. If you talk to the Tog, with the exception of a few, they are just happy someone is using their work! Kind of like a musician happy someone is listening to their work…

If you want to know more info on the use of photography, head over to thelawtog.com – It’s a HUGE resource for Tog’s and end-users alike.