UKBillyBoy Loc: Central Texas

I had copyrights saved for the last 4 years, but when I tried to export a photo my copyrights were nowhere to be found. I have Lightroom Classic 10.1 and only one catalog that I backup alternatively between my Windows 10 PC and a USB external drive. I opened the last two backups and no saved copyrights? Anyone have any idea where to look or how to restore them?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You probably mean an export watermark? Look at your LR export definitions, do you have the watermark option selected? Do you have a watermark defined? You may have to redo this set-up of they've been lost during version or computer migrations.

repleo Loc: Boston

If Chg_Canon is correct, don't confuse watermark with copyright. You may own the copyright from the instance you take the photo, but your copyright protection it is unenforceable in Federal Courts unless the image has been registered with the Copyright Office. The watermark or signature in itself may increase the damages you can collect if you win a case, but it doesn't give you any protection without the registration.

Ourspolair

Need some clarification here... are you saying that the copyright info from your exif file is not being exported? I found this happening when I was using Adobe products to resize and export images...

bleirer

If you are talking copyright info that you had Lightroom embed in the metadata, that is stored in the Lightroom catalog unless you told Lightroom to put it in the sidecar file. When you export there is a metadata section where you tell it to write the copyright into the file or not.

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

To be of any value at all, proof of "copyright" is only valid if you registered it in a timely fashion with the US Copyright office. In fact, since any claim of copyright infringement is actually a federal matter, the only way a federal court will even entertain a claim is if the owner can produce a valid copyright registration document.

So, while I sympathize with your anxiety over the loss of what appears to be your watermarks, I think that those are just a waste of time, since they accomplish nothing, and in fact, detract from the image, so you shouldn't worry about them, and reconsider if you really need them. They are not a substitute for registration.

I can't say how the new Small Claims procedure works for small infringement claims. You may want to read up on that if you are really concerned about rights theft.

Nicholas J DeSciose

That’s very important information, Study it. If you’re serious about image making you may wish to contact a Intellectual property attorney. One specializing in copyright

Nicholas J DeSciose

Copyright is very serious, and complicated. I know photographers that were awarded thousands of dollars. Any others that lost all rights to their images. because they didn’t pay attention And didn’t contact an attorney. It would be very wise if you’re serious about photography to become a member of ASMP photography May be an art but it’s very much a business a really big business world wide

UKBillyBoy Loc: Central Texas

I'm really sorry I haven't responded to the many people who have tried to help. I've had a medical issue. First of all after reading your replies my problem is that saved watermarks have disappeared. I had watermarks saved for the last 4 years by year and after a Lightroom update and a problem opening Lightroom, they were all missing. It seems I will have to go through the process of creating new ones. If anyone has ideas since I haven't clarified that they are not missing copyrights I will appreciate it.

UKBillyBoy Loc: Central Texas

I have had the watermark option selected and had defined them for 4 years by year. Thanks for your reply. The exported photo is an example of the watermark.