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We've never had much faith in political types over here at Photo Spy. It seems to us that what our politicians say and what they actually do are all too often entirely different things. Some might call this cynicism, we call it accurate.

Taking photographs in public spaces is how most editorial photographs are created. These photographs feed the appetite of the press and our media friends for topical imagery. All to often such imagery must, by the very nature of the events that unfold before our very eyes, include the odd photograph of a policeman or, perhaps, a photography of an odd policeman.

Read more at PhotoSpy 

The Substantive Law Behind Model Releases
When it comes to legal matters, it is never enough to merely be "right."

Why you need releases
Good explination of Model and Property Releases and why you need them.

Property releases
The whole subject of property releases is filled with urban legend, assumption and myth, along with a bit of actual law.

Getty Images Adult model release (PDF)
Getty Images Property Release form (PDF)

Istockphoto Model Release form (PDF)
Istockphoto Property Release form (PDF)

Alamy Model Release form (PDF)
Alamy Property Release form (PDF)

NY Institute of Photography Basic Model Release

Sample model release form from Law Depot

Advertising & Illustrative Photographers Association Model/Property release form

 

 

May 5, 2008. Orphan Works is back. On April 24, new draft versions of the Orphan Works Act of 2008 were introduced by both Houses of the U.S. Congress.

The Stock Artists Alliance has just published extensive commentary about Orphan Works as a resource for artists and other members of the visual arts community who will be affected by this legislation. We offer our perspective as the only association dedicated to the interests of professional photographers involved in stock image licensing.

Dear Content Providers:

We have written and posted several times on the topic of, "Why Words Matter" and that the acceptance of the vocabulary of your enemies, is dangerous to your economic health.  Some of you may recall our post in March of 2007 regarding the importance of the word "agent" and the efforts by agents, agencies and reps to retire the use of the word.  We referenced a large agency making a concerted effort to distance itself from reality in a distinctly Orwellian manner. 

In July 2007, the Copyright Office will initiate a beta testing phase in the development of its automated registration system, electronic Copyright Office (eCO). Requests to participate in eCO beta testing are being accepted from the public at this time. Participants will be
selected in the order that requests are received. In addition, selection will be based on an array of submission criteria. Basic registration claims will be accepted at a reduced rate established for electronic filings. Requests to participate are being accepted through the Copyright Office website at http://www.copyright.gov/eco/beta-request.html.

For further information, go to http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2007/72fr30641.html.

The Austin Police Department needs your help in connection with finding the killer of photographer Michael Cahill. His murder was profiled by America's Most Wanted on April 7, 2007 and we urge you to go to amw.com to read the accounting of this senseless killing. Click on Michael Cahill or "most recent episode".

Dear Content Providers:
 
    I have warned, screamed, yelled, written, lectured, advised and cajoled creatives to make sure that the word "agent" was conspicuous in any Stock "Agency" or representative agreement to which they were a party.  I refuse to look at proposed stock agency agreements or take legal fees from any creative who has sought to "partner" with an agency which refuses to permit the word "agent" to be used in such contracts.

The Copyright Office is publishing a final rule establishing adjusted fees for its services. The adjusted fees will recover a significant part of the costs to the Office of registering claims and will provide full cost recovery for many services provided by the Office that benefit only, or primarily, the user of that service. The basic registration fee is scheduled to increase from $30 to $45. The proposed fee increase for preregistration has been eliminated, and the proposed increase for group registration of photographs has been reduced to the fee for basic registration. All the adjusted fees are scheduled to be effective July 1, 2006, unless Congress acts before that date stating disapproval of the fees. For further information, go to the Copyright Office website at
http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2006/71fr31089.html.

According to a story by Daryl Lang published April 19 at PDNonline ; it seems increasingly unlikely that the so-called Orphan Works Bill will pass during the current session of Congress. This bill has been viewed by photographers, illustrators and their professional organizations as a serious threat that could make un-credited visual images basically free for the taking.

Read the entire PDN article here .

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property has scheduled a hearing on "Orphan Works: Proposals for a Legislative Solution" for Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building.

Photographers and illustrators will be represented by Vic Perlman, Managing Director and General Counsel American Society of Media Photographers, Inc. (ASMP) and Brad Holland, Founding Board Member, Illustrators’ Partnership of America.