Using Photos

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Aug 1999

Are there any legal issues with posting pictures that I take of people on my web site? I have a Musicians web site and would like to post images of entertainers that I capture.

DetroitMusicians.com

DetroitMusicians.com

They have: 14 posts

Joined: May 2000

Personally, I wouldn't think so -- the photos are yours? Are they taken in a public setting? Then the copyright to those photos should be yours too. (that whole w/o written consent thing)
Now if the photos are lewd then that's another story.

They have: 7 posts

Joined: Aug 1999

The photos are taken at events, partys and nightclubs... say for instance I get a photo of Prince just hanging out at a party? (nothing lewd) Can i get into legal problems for using a photo that I take?

DetroitMusicians.com

DetroitMusicians.com

Suzanne's picture

She has: 5,507 posts

Joined: Feb 2000

If you take a photo of someone and they are the subject of the photo, you may need to get a model's release from that person in order to be completely legal.
www.terla.com may have some valuable information about photos that you take and your responsibility.

It is especially important if you are taking photos of celebrities not because they have more rights, but they usually have more access to lawyers and money that can make your life miserable, especially if you catch said celebrities doing something awful.

Hope this helps,

Suzanne

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Suzanne
Tables DeMystified

P.S. You should really contact a lawyer about this. Taking the advice of anyone on a bulletin board isn't particularly wise. Even (or especially sometimes) from me. We're not going to be the ones on the line, you are.

[This message has been edited by Suzanne (edited 05 June 2000).]

They have: 453 posts

Joined: Jan 1999

Suzanne is right.

If you take pictures of individuals you need a "model release form".
If they are minors a parent has to sign the form and has to be present while the pictures are taken. (At least in europe.)

At big events (concerts, sports, etc) there is usually a part of the "contract" (mancipation) that gives the owner/artist the full right to use pictures/videos taken of you for promotion. And he can resell this right to you.

If these pictures can damage the reputation of the person you should be very carefull, since there are hundres of different laws protecting the individual.

Just be carefull and always make sure to ask the "owner".

ciao
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