Walmart's Photo Copying Policy
Nov 16, 2011 05:41:27 #
Traditionally, it has NOT been the business of a photo processor to be concerned about copyright issues, which actually lie with the photographer or person using the image for commercial purposes. The next thing will be requiring model releases from people who live in other countries, or are dead (some of my 50 year old slides taken in Europe).
Here is an excerpt from Walmart's arcane policy.
"In addition, we will not copy a photograph that appears to have been taken by a professional photographer or studio, even if it is not marked with any sort of copyright, unless we are presented with a signed Copyright Release from the photographer or studio."
The link is to Walmart's form.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Photo-CopyrightForm_Owner.pdf
Here is an excerpt from Walmart's arcane policy.
"In addition, we will not copy a photograph that appears to have been taken by a professional photographer or studio, even if it is not marked with any sort of copyright, unless we are presented with a signed Copyright Release from the photographer or studio."
The link is to Walmart's form.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/Photo-CopyrightForm_Owner.pdf
Nov 16, 2011 07:09:53 #
..which is another reason not to use Walmert's photo copying service.
They must have gotten burned legally somewhere by copying a copyrighted photo and so now they have this corporate policy.
From their point of view, it probably makes sense. They get 9 million people a day making blurry copies of little Johnny with jelly all over his face, and four people a day trying to make a copy of that Ansel Adams print they cut out of a magazine, for over their sofa.
They must have gotten burned legally somewhere by copying a copyrighted photo and so now they have this corporate policy.
From their point of view, it probably makes sense. They get 9 million people a day making blurry copies of little Johnny with jelly all over his face, and four people a day trying to make a copy of that Ansel Adams print they cut out of a magazine, for over their sofa.
Nov 16, 2011 08:05:46 #
This has been their policy for years, as well as Walgreens, Costco, CVS and many other retailers. You shouldn't be using any of these for printing anyhow, use a quality print lab for your images.
Nov 16, 2011 16:51:27 #
MWAC wrote:
This has been their policy for years, as well as Walgreens, Costco, CVS and many other retailers. You shouldn't be using any of these for printing anyhow, use a quality print lab for your images.
Totally agree. I quit a long time ago. It costs me a few cents more to use the local camera store and I get much better pictures without the hassle. Plus they will help critique them if need be and make suggestions to improve them.
Nov 17, 2011 06:24:31 #
There are reverse search image engines that can find unauthorized image usage. Check out http://www.tineye.com/. It is like an educators plagiarism search engine that finds cheating students stolen writing. I bet major stock image sellers and high end image printers routinely check for copyright infringement. Right now I can shoot a high resolution handheld copy of almost any museum artwork and duplicate it. But try hiring a pro printer to copy it at your own risk!
Similarly for quite some time all copiers identify US paper currency and will not make an exactly sized image or print a 100% size copy. Go ahead just try to make fake money.
Similarly for quite some time all copiers identify US paper currency and will not make an exactly sized image or print a 100% size copy. Go ahead just try to make fake money.
Nov 17, 2011 07:16:38 #
IMO, there are more far greater reasons to avoid this chain--than their ability (or inability) to produce quality prints
Nov 17, 2011 07:35:57 #
Sadly...not everyone has a local camera store. Mine closed before I went digital. I mail order the important stuff from Mpix, Color Inc and Snapfish(a subsidiary of HP...the printer people) has been wonderful.
YES! Walgreens and Walmart frequently refuse to give me my pictures or my "clients"(friends and family I photograph). I try to think of it as the ultimate compliment...unless I am in a hurry or not with the client. I have created a release form that I give them with my photos that they can keep on file. It states I am a serious amateur who took the photographs...I tell what they are including type (baby, wedding, family, event, Sr. Picture, etc..) Their printing is unreliable...but when I am in a time pinch...they have to do. Congrats on the "pro" picture status. :D
YES! Walgreens and Walmart frequently refuse to give me my pictures or my "clients"(friends and family I photograph). I try to think of it as the ultimate compliment...unless I am in a hurry or not with the client. I have created a release form that I give them with my photos that they can keep on file. It states I am a serious amateur who took the photographs...I tell what they are including type (baby, wedding, family, event, Sr. Picture, etc..) Their printing is unreliable...but when I am in a time pinch...they have to do. Congrats on the "pro" picture status. :D
Nov 17, 2011 08:22:31 #
Who cares, their store, their policy. If you don't like it go somewhere else. There are plenty of online sources to get your prints made. And like it's mentioned above, I'm sure this has come about because they were sued at some point. In which case I don't blame them for trying to cover themselves.
Nov 17, 2011 10:58:29 #
I have a 85 year old friend, who wanted a childhood picture her and her sister when they were about 5 years old reproduced. Walmart refused.
Nov 17, 2011 11:00:02 #
Perfect solution - don't shop at walmart. They are bad for america anyways - google High Price of a Low Cost.
I refuse to shop at walmart to the point if a loved one was dying and the only place that had the 1 item needed to save them I would start planning their funeral - that is how serious I am about NOT shopping there.
I refuse to shop at walmart to the point if a loved one was dying and the only place that had the 1 item needed to save them I would start planning their funeral - that is how serious I am about NOT shopping there.
Nov 17, 2011 11:04:50 #
Nov 17, 2011 11:21:54 #
Actually can't get prints from a copy. I copied an 30 yr OLD wallet print, pretty poor shape, and touched it up. Walmart refused to print it. Shot was a work-passport-id handout type thing of public nature anyway.
Needed it for a funeral.
Still havn't warmed up toward them much.
Needed it for a funeral.
Still havn't warmed up toward them much.
Nov 17, 2011 11:27:44 #
BBNC wrote:
Traditionally, it has NOT been the business of a p... (show quote)
You can't be serious about your photography if your getting your prints made at walmarts. For that matter, any big box store.
Do your self a favor, get your own, $150.00 Epson printer with six colors, buy your paper and ink online from Epson. Stock up when they have a 40% off sale. You have free shipping, and no tax. Then you have total quailty control over your photography. If you need an enlargement. (bigger then 8" X10", then take it to a local camera store. Pick out the type of paper/ surface you want to use and have them help you and get some quailty prints.
Unless, of course, your not really serious about your work, then just go down to the big box.
Nov 17, 2011 11:39:04 #
I actually appreciate this! I offer my clients a CD of their images with my logo as proofs....this policy protects me from the client just going to Wally World and reprinting the proofs and displaying my images with the lower quality printing and not ordering good prints from me.
BBNC wrote:
Traditionally, it has NOT been the business of a p... (show quote)
Nov 17, 2011 11:46:13 #
flashgordonbrown
Loc: Silverdale, WA
MWAC wrote:
This has been their policy for years, as well as Walgreens, Costco, CVS and many other retailers. You shouldn't be using any of these for printing anyhow, use a quality print lab for your images.
I'm not sure why you would limp Costco in with the drug-store labs-My experience has been that Costco does a good job right out of the gate, and if there IS some problem, they will fix it for free. Also, they have a broad range of services. My local Costco has had the same core crew for 15 years that I am aware of, so I get good customer service and technical assistance. Besides that, you'll be hard pressed to beat their prices
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