How to deal with printers who ask for copyrights

mpmcleodmpmcleod Registered Users Posts: 288 Major grins
edited January 9, 2007 in The Big Picture
My wife had some photos printed at a (unnamed) local shop . When she arrived with her mom to pick them up she was questioned by the clerk for the photographer's copyright. She took the pictures herself but the clerk wouldn't believe her. The clerk brought in a manager and they finally convinced him that she did, in fact, take the photos but what a hassle.

Has anyone else had to deal with this?
I suggested that we print some quickie pseudo-business cards for my wife to deal with this stuff in the future. Any other thoughts?
-- Mike

smugmug nickname: mpmcleod
http://www.michaelmcleod.com/

Comments

  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2007
    Happens all the time. They are trying to protect themselves, I guess.

    Print through Smug ;)
  • TristanPTristanP Registered Users Posts: 1,107 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2007
    I had it happen to me at Walmart. They have a form to sign that they'll then keep on file, but it was kinda a pain the first time it happened. It's the price you pay for taking (and processing) good pics. I'd rather they check than just print everything that comes their way. Or, you could use smugmug. :D
    panekfamily.smugmug.com (personal)
    tristansphotography.com (motorsports)

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  • GraphyFotozGraphyFotoz Registered Users Posts: 2,267 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2007
    Thanx for this bit of info! thumb.gif

    What's this world coming to?
    People out there steal you identity.....your Credit card.....your purse....your wallet....your car.....now pictures!
    That's pretty pathetic!!
    Is anything sacred anymore?headscratch.gifrolleyes1.gif

    I got a Wife and coupla kids they can have......now there is an idea....after an hour or 2 they will be more than willing to PAY ME to takem back!:lol4
    I might be on to something here!!:lol
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  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2007
    What constitutes proof? My camera doesn't issue a certificate with every shot it takes.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2007
    wxwax wrote:
    What constitutes proof? My camera doesn't issue a certificate with every shot it takes.
    Are you stealing from your camera? lol3.gif
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2007
    wxwax wrote:
    What constitutes proof? My camera doesn't issue a certificate with every shot it takes.


    I had a fingerprint sensor identification system installed on mine. It now knows the identity, age, marital status and annual income of whoever picks it up to shoot with.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited January 8, 2007
    wxwax wrote:
    What constitutes proof? My camera doesn't issue a certificate with every shot it takes.

    Huh, IIRC mine does--it embeds the body S/N in the EXIF & I've run the utility to put my name as owner in there which it embeds as well.

    Graphy: nope nothing is sacred any more. :cry
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited January 8, 2007
    Huh, IIRC mine does--it embeds the body S/N in the EXIF & I've run the utility to put my name as owner in there which it embeds as well.

    Graphy: nope nothing is sacred any more. :cry
    Interesting.

    I wonder if that's what the printers had in mind.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • 3rdPlanetPhotography3rdPlanetPhotography Banned Posts: 920 Major grins
    edited January 8, 2007
    I carry a shotgun on my shoulders... I don't seem to have any problem getting my photos!

    No seriously, if you are going to print to a local place then ask them the first time for their consent form. All the wally worlds have them as do many labs. I had to sign one and leave my business card stapled to the form so they can verify who I am when I pickup my photos. It still happends from time to time.

    I ONLY print local IF I'm in some kind of crunch and I have to have it right then. Otherwise I just print from Smugmug and wait for the photo to arrive. This also ensures I have the correct (color - lighting) photo that I ordered. Try getting that with a local place mwink.gif

    You should NEVER EVER EVER EVER print any place than Smugmug...thumb.gif
  • mpmcleodmpmcleod Registered Users Posts: 288 Major grins
    edited January 8, 2007
    kc7dji wrote:
    I carry a shotgun on my shoulders... I don't seem to have any problem getting my photos!

    No seriously, if you are going to print to a local place then ask them the first time for their consent form. All the wally worlds have them as do many labs. I had to sign one and leave my business card stapled to the form so they can verify who I am when I pickup my photos. It still happends from time to time.

    I ONLY print local IF I'm in some kind of crunch and I have to have it right then. Otherwise I just print from Smugmug and wait for the photo to arrive. This also ensures I have the correct (color - lighting) photo that I ordered. Try getting that with a local place mwink.gif

    You should NEVER EVER EVER EVER print any place than Smugmug...thumb.gif

    Yes, it was a time crunch last minute Christmas gift deal. I have printed only a few pics (1 order) through SM but now that I am back in the States I will probably print more through SM.

    The business card comment was part of my questions. My wife is an amateur photographer so she doesn't have a business nor a card. I think we will print some up anyway so she can give them to printers and maybe that will get them off our backs.

    Thanks for the suggestions.
    -- Mike

    smugmug nickname: mpmcleod
    http://www.michaelmcleod.com/
  • dragon300zxdragon300zx Registered Users Posts: 2,575 Major grins
    edited January 8, 2007
    Well, I'd give them a bill and charge them for the optical vacation they were given when they got to view my heavenly work.

    That in and of itself should make them think your crazy wacko and they will either realize you are the photographer cause photographers are all nutty, or they will be to scared to argue with you.
    Everyone Has A Photographic Memory. Some Just Do Not Have Film.
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  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2007
    TristanP wrote:
    I had it happen to me at Walmart. They have a form to sign that they'll then keep on file, but it was kinda a pain the first time it happened. It's the price you pay for taking (and processing) good pics. I'd rather they check than just print everything that comes their way. Or, you could use smugmug. :D
    Stores are supposed to check for copyright on photos, even if you are just making a photocopy of one, which a lot of people do BTW. If you do not have a written copyright release they will give you a sheet of paper to sign saying you have permission to copy the photo. So people can take a photo in and sign the piece of paper if they have permission or not and they get their copy.
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • mpmcleodmpmcleod Registered Users Posts: 288 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2007
    gluwater wrote:
    Stores are supposed to check for copyright on photos, even if you are just making a photocopy of one, which a lot of people do BTW. If you do not have a written copyright release they will give you a sheet of paper to sign saying you have permission to copy the photo. So people can take a photo in and sign the piece of paper if they have permission or not and they get their copy.

    The problem we have is that there is no copyright since these are photos we shot. So we basically need to give permission to ourselves to print it ...rolleyes1.gif

    I think I will work on a permission form that says that.
    -- Mike

    smugmug nickname: mpmcleod
    http://www.michaelmcleod.com/
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2007
    mpmcleod wrote:
    The problem we have is that there is no copyright since these are photos we shot. So we basically need to give permission to ourselves to print it ...rolleyes1.gif

    I think I will work on a permission form that says that.
    Once you press the shutter you own the copyright to that photo, it may not me a registered copyright but you still own the rights to it. And yes you actually do need to give yourself permission to print it. You can sell an image for exlusive use and in that case even though you took the image you no longer have the right to it. Just look at it from their point of view, they cannot know you are the photographer, anyone could say that. Just sign their coppyright release form and get your prints, they are looking out for your, the photographers, best interest after all.
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
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