Need to sign copyright over to a client - does anyone have a sample letter?

[Lippy Biscuit]

Hi there

I've just sold my first memory stick of images (YAY!) after setting up my Boudoir Studio a few months ago.

Thing is, the memory stick comes with copyright to the images. Need to put a letter together to give to her but I'm not sure what to put in it?

Can anyone help?

Bec x

[Jim Poor]

Do you truly mean copyright, or usage license?

[OsmosisStudios]

NEVER give the copyright away: grant usage rights instead.

[BCampbell]

You'll probably get a few more of these "you're crazy for selling your copyright!" messages.

A couple of resources:
ASMP Licensing Guide
ASMP tutorials & forms

[jdepould]

You could probably just put the license/copyright letter in a .txt on the drive. Maybe give them a printed copy when you deliver the drive.

[Lippy Biscuit]

Hi....

Well I've noticed that lots of other Boudoir Studios charge an extortionate amount of money for a fancy, gift wrapped, memory stick with the images on, that includes copyright and ownership. So I've copied that concept and marketed mine at a slightly less extortionate price (but still a nice old amount for what is essentially 100% profit unless you count the couple of pounds for the memory stick!).

I guess usage rights is a better option though as many of clients sign model release forms to allow me to use their images on my website, this client included.

All of my other clients have always just bought canvases, photobooks etc... so I haven't had to deal with the copyright issue before. I guess because I marketed it as "copyright" rather than "usage rights" then I'll have to stick with it on this occasion.

So is it really as simple as just writing a letter saying "I hereby grant you full copyright to these images.." etc....? I was just after some sort of template and wondered if anyone else had a similar letter I could doctor?!

[zephod]

Originally Posted by Lippy Biscuit

Hi....

I guess usage rights is a better option though as many of clients sign model release forms to allow me to use their images on my website, this client included.

I won't presume to tell you how to do business. From your website I think you have that pretty well in hand. Since I am just easing into the waters of pro photography take this for the 2p it's worth. I would absolutely give usage rights and I would limit them to 18 months from the date of photo. The reason for the 18 months is you can design marketing around the end of those rights to get the client back into contact with you. This gives you the opportunity to sell them a new package and offer to renew the rights for free as well.

It also protects you. If you are granting 'full copyright' then your model releases are useless unless you get usage rights from the very person you granted the copyright to because you forfeited your copyright to the model. Whereas with usage rights they get what they want and you maintain control over your IP.

I will try to find a usage rights doc for you when I get back tonight.

Doug

[gturner]

I struggle with photographers logic on this sort of thing

A client pays a sitting fee for boudoir images + all the images delivered on a stick.
Once the shoot is done, the money paid and the images delivered, what possible use does the photographer have for these images?

A a client I would expect to be buying images of myself/ partner - period.
This is the way corporations buy images, so why can't private people do the same?

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by gturner

I struggle with photographers logic on this sort of thing

A client pays a sitting fee for boudoir images + all the images delivered on a stick.
Once the shoot is done, the money paid and the images delivered, what possible use does the photographer have for these images?

Generally, a sitting fee is just that - for the sitting. There is (or should be) a separate fee for the images.

As far as possible uses, there are many including publication an even reprints to the original client

A a client I would expect to be buying images of myself/ partner - period.
This is the way corporations buy images, so why can't private people do the same?

No, really it isn't the way corporations buy images though more and more are asking for more usage rights than they truly need.

Work for hire is one thing, but buying images for use is a totally different animal involving usage rights with limits on time, scope, etc.

[gturner]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Generally, a sitting fee is just that - for the sitting. There is (or should be) a separate fee for the images.

As far as possible uses, there are many including publication an even reprints to the original client



No, really it isn't the way corporations buy images though more and more are asking for more usage rights than they truly need.

Work for hire is one thing, but buying images for use is a totally different animal involving usage rights with limits on time, scope, etc.

I guess I worded my response poorly

Once a private client books a schedule that includes the full images on a disk. (not just prints)
How can you then tell them - sorry, you can only use them for 18mths and then you need to pay me again for another 18mths.
As a client, that would annoy the blazes out of me.

I am paying you to take photos which I want to own (royalty free if you wish) Once I have paid and you deliver the goods, why should I ever need to hear from you again?

Corporations will more often buy the full rights to an image so they don't get pestered by an annoying photag who wants a cheque every 18 months.