tommyknocher Loc: Detroit, MI

Yesterday I participated in a Holiday Bazaar sponsored by my city at the local community center. Then event featured wares by various local businesses. I offered my published books (I'm a freelance writer by profession) and prints of some of my best work--landscape scenes of Detroit and Michigan.

The day wasn't a huge success, but I did sell four books and two 8 x 12 prints of places on Belle Isle, Detroit's island park.

Afterward, I began to wonder--the buyer may not be aware that simply purchasing a print does not give her or him the right to reproduce it, although I had no reason to believe she intended to.

On my website, by comparison, I include the following warning:

Please remember that the purchase of a photographic print DOES NOT include the license to reproduce the photo. Any publication or reproduction can only be done with the written permission of Paul Vachon.

I got the idea of making a sticker with these same words and pasting on the back of prints I sell in person at events like this.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Don't know that it is necessary, but it couldn't hurt.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Actually I do not recommend a sticker as the adhesive will eventually permeate the paper and show through on the image. I had this issue years ago so I quit using stickers at all. I switched to using a Rubber stamp with my Copyright info and using non-toxic ink pads, in over 12 years I have not had the ink show through any of my prints. I get my ink pads from a company called Center Enterprises. They are cheap and if the ink starts to dry you can add 2 or 3 drops of distilled water to the pad and seal it up for a few days and its as good as new again. My current pad cost $5 and is over 6 years old.

RRS Loc: Not sure

I don't print any of my own work, however my lab prints a copyright on the back of everything they print for me. When I was photographing weddings I received a Christmas card of one of my pictures from the wedding. I ask where she had them printed and told her that it was illegal to copy someone's work. I also went to the establishment that did the printing with a copy of the copyright laws in hand. They have since called me twice with requests to reprint some of my work but instead asked the people to contact me which they have.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I'd say next time you publish a book put the copyright info in it.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You can use an archival starch paste (used by museums and bookbinders), and print your label, or have it printed by your commercial printer, perhaps as a certificate of authenticity. This is usually reserved for editioned releases of fine art work. Not for the $2 8x10 made at the local lab or Costco.

But this is just a deterrent, and no commercial lab with any integrity would ever violate that. However, there is nothing you can do to prevent someone from using a scanner and photoprinter to do the same. If they buy it with intent to reproduce there ain't nothin' you can do about it. And the cost of legal action may actually deter you from pursuing it.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

First, Consult with a lawyer who knows about such things for proper wording etc. Then as others stated add a copyright in some way to the back of the photo that cannot be removed. It is tough when people do not value your work and intellectual thought. I have the same problem with Architecture.

dampatents

The copyright "attaches" automatically HOWEVER you do have "better" rights if its noted on the item AND best if you file the copyright with the library of Congress (the latter for "valuable" photos and, of course, books/articles)… HTH

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What is it exactly that you are trying to prevent?