Should print shop be allowed to display my work?

[longhornz32]

I had a print made for my client that was an extremely large mounted print at 60"x60". The print got slightly damaged in transit and was not acceptable to present to the client. The print shop took it back and this morning I dropped by to see the new print. When I asked what were they going to do with the old damaged print the manager said they were going to hang it up for display. Now my real motive was to try to see if I could get the damaged print my self to display in my studio but they gave me uneasy feeling that they were just going to display my work without even asking me.

I'm going to ask nicely again if I could have the damaged print but is there anything to back me up if I drop they didn't get my permission to display my work?

www.burningphotography.com

[Niresangwa]

Well, they either pay you for the image (at whatever you decide you want them to pay) and display it, or you demand they take it down if they won't sell it to you under threat of a law suit.

I have a feeling that they're not going to like either option. Any other good printers in your area?

[spencer28n]

They don't have to give it back to you if you didn't have to pay twice; not that you should. On the other hand, they're not allowed to hang up your work without your permission. It violates copyright laws because they're using YOUR work for THEIR personal gain.

[sk66]

What's the small print say?

[elkidogz]

Originally Posted by sk66

What's the small print say?

Yes, I agree here. When you used this guy's shop did you sign anything? if so, what does it say? basically, I think it goes one of two ways both path leads to the same result...

1. you get the print, but have that printer irked at you. you never use him again

2. the document you signed when you chose to use that printer gives him rights to use your images for his advertisement purposes. you never use him again.

3. you say hey bro lets work something out, I let you hang that picture on the wall for a year, and you give me a discount on all my prints... if we are still happy with this arrangement... then I keep the discount and you keep the print? what say you?

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by elkidogz

3. you say hey bro lets work something out, I let you hang that picture on the wall for a year, and you give me a discount on all my prints... if we are still happy with this arrangement... then I keep the discount and you keep the print? what say you?

Yeah, I think if you are like most of us here, without a serious photo business and trying to at least make enough money to fund our hobby, you should do something like this. Maybe ask them to put your card up and stick up a price for the print, commission it if you get lucky.

[ARKreations]

Personally, if the print was too damaged to deliver to the customer, I wouldn't want it displayed anywhere representing my work. It seems to me that if you don't want him to display it and he won't give it to you, then it should be destroyed. Either way he writes it off as a loss, which is a normal cost of doing business.

[Raoul Isidro]

You could go the legal road but with all the hassles and troubles, only the lawyers will earn anything out of it. Let them display it. If it is remarkable and a truly conversation piece, the interested parties will be led to your business... hopefully.

[Sterling]

Maybe ask if you can slap a label on it with your name and contact info. Win-win.

[San_Sebastian]

I work at a local, family owned and operated print shop. We run into this from time to time. A customer will come in, have something printed, we'll goof on something or the machine screws it up, we do another copy and *ask* the person if its alright if we keep the goof (depending on how badly its damaged) and use it in our shop (if it's particularly cool). If they don't have a business card, we make a quick one with their name and information it, giving them full credit. We've had a few were the ink would run along the edges or there would be a jam and part of the photo was damaged and wrinkled....we'll just crop it and stick it in a frame with their names under it. It's worked well for both parties. Decorates our shop and promotes the photographer.

But, theoretically, we wouldn't take and display their work without permission. Aside from it being illegal....it's just rude. I know I wouldn't want someone to do that to me.