Copyright

[Johnny_eh]

ok. I'm new here and very new when it comes to photography. Right now I just have the camera on auto everything as I'm just getting use to the feel, size and capabilities of it. (my old camera was just a pocket point and click) My question is this. is it advisable to put the copyright "c" and your name on the photos. I upload to facebook and here. and eventually will on more sites. Again i'm not a pro or even near it but I do have a few really nice shots I want to share...In mine and others opinions. So if they are not copyrighted or watermarked are they not easy to steal???

[thatBilly]

When you upload photos to facebook, you extend* all rights to them:

For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos ("IP content"), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook ("IP License"). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

There is a similar thread discussing this issue from today: Copyright violation?

If you want to share photos online and you're not paying for the server, bandwidth etc then it's often the case that you transfer some or all rights to the host. Flickr lets you retain copyright.

Copyright is an automatic right and there is no requirement (and arguably little benefit) in stating the copyright attribution but if you feel the photos may be misappropriated then you might like to stamp them beforehand.

[BuddhaPi]

watermarking helps, but people will still swipe them if they want them bad enough

[MindyRaeL]

Agreed with Buddha, they'll find a way to get them. Along with watermarking, it also helps to size them down. I think 640px on the longest size is the normal recommendation, but don't hold me to that number.

[mshockley]

Well I believe I've said this before, but I will say it again. Whenever you post something online, be it Facebook, Flickr, your Website, etc., you will always run the risk of someone "stealing" your image. But with that said, as mentioned above, size to about 640px on long side with a very low res-72, and really your image will not be suitable to print. And yeah, I would certainly watermark it somewhere where it won't be easy to crop out without ruining the picture.

I figure if someone likes one of my pictures well enough to want to download it and use as wallpaper on computer, so be it. I still believe the internet is one of the most economical ways to market yourself.

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but just because Facebook has "usage" rights to images posted, it does not mean that you have transferred Copyright to them. I believe there is a difference.

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by mshockley

Also, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but just because Facebook has "usage" rights to images posted, it does not mean that you have transferred Copyright to them. I believe there is a difference.

You would be correct and much of this can be handled thru your privacy/application settings as note above...err below

For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos ("IP content"), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook ("IP License"). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

I think FB needs to do this to comply with DMCA issues..

[mshockley]

thanks Buddha, I had a feeling I would hear from you on this one!

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by mshockley

thanks Buddha, I had a feeling I would hear from you on this one!

I'm always lurking somewhere...

[SwissJon]

I would suggest you put a web address, rather than you name, if you want to copyright your images. That way, if your image thief steals your photo, at least people can find you from your watermark, if they ever fancy paying for the image.

I watermark all my photos since one of my collegues downloaded one to use as a desktop, when I asked why they hadn't asked, they said "because I thought you put it up there for people to use.

I look at it this way.. If people download your images, what have you lost? Nothing. What have you gained? Possibly a bit of free advertising.. Nobody is actually stealing from you, they're just making an electronic copy.. You haven't lost something you had before they downloaded it. Obviously I'd prefer people ask, but I won't insist, unless they start making money from my hard work, in which case I'll insist on royalties!