Do I have to?

[Mrs.HMW]

Hello fellow photographers,
I wanted to ask a question. I was told I needed to register for a Copy right and or a Trade mark first, and then come up with a “stamp” in Photoshop. Is this correct? I am only a novice and I don’t have a photography company. I was only planning on putting in my initials. Why wouldn’t I just be able to sign my work like a painter does? HUmmFFff Legal stuff.

[Doug Pardee]

You don't need to register anything. You would need to register prior to suing someone for infringement.

You don't need to stamp anything. But if you do want to mark something with a copyright notice, it needs to be in a specific form.

[Jim Poor]

1. You don't register 'for a copyright," copyright just is.

2. Trademarks are different and beyond what you seem to need at this point.

3. A copyright notice is no longer required on anything, but if removed can provide for additonal penalties against an infringer.

4. You never HAVE to register your copyrighted materials, but doing so increases damages that you can recover.

Check out Photo Attorney for a lot more detail.

[Mrs.HMW]

Thanks for all the information Doug and Jim. I am going to have to get my reading glasses to go over this some more, lots of stuff here. Once I become a better photographer I might want to flow through and get a copyright, but for the time being I just want to “sign” my work. Thanks again

[Jim Poor]

You're still missing a big point. One doesn't "get" a copyright. A copyright exists at the moment of creation.

[Mrs.HMW]

Ok, I think I have an idea of how this works. Technically my photos no matter how good or bad they are mine and no one is supposed to use them without my permission. However if I did want to protect my stuff from thievery, legally I would have to set something up. But if I want to “sign” my work with a PS “stamp” I could, without legal action. THANKS the information you (2) provide gave me the answer I was looking for.