By: Candace Bastien

OWNING MY PHOTOS

#MyBlueprint is photo that was taken for a classAssignment. We were instructed to put it on our Twitter feed with the title, #MyBlueprint.

#MyBlueprint

Photos are CONSTANTLY being posted online. It’s almost a way of life now. What happens AFTERthey’re posted? Are they Property of Facebook? Are they property of Twitter? Are they still YOUR photos?

I took the photo of #MyBlueprint so in fact, it IS my photo, BUT, after I posted it online, I basically gave Twitter my permission to use the photo.

My copyright, my ownership, took effect as soon as I took the picture. I took it, all by myself, using mycell phone. It will forever by MY picture, but thereare a few things I can do to help with people/companies, using my image. My copyright Would last a minimum of 25 years as long as I am credited that this photo is mine.

If necessary, I could also enact the DMCA rule as well. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act states that while InternetService Provider is not liable for transmitting information thatMay infringe a copyright, the ISP must remove materials from Users websites that appear to constitute copyright infringement.

So basically, if I see a site that is using my image, I can contactThe hosting ISP and I can report it. They also can’t remove myCopyright information of the photo to use it as their own.

Copyright 2015 Candace H. Bastien

©candacebastien2015

Putting a watermark somewhere on the photo willAlso let people know that the picture is NOT for use.

While it’s not necessary I put the © on my photo, thereAre more pros than cons in this situation. It is helpful in protecting my work. It automatically lets people know thatthey shouldn’t use this WITHOUT my permission.

It is noticeably a piece of work that the creator wants to protectso it takes away any confusion.

#MyBlueprint photo is free for me to use, as I please since itis mine. I can make greeting cards, posters, wallpapers, I can even decorate my house in it if I want. Even thoughI have put the notice on my work, I can still put a legal claimOn my photo. I would have to fill out the necessary paperworkTo do so, which DOES protect MY photo, (not the subject) andNo one can lawfully use it for anything as their own. It is

References:

Wright.C (2013) Photography and Copyright Law http://blog.kenkaminesky.com/photography-copyright-and-the-law/

Copyright.gov www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

Delsack.C Who owns photos and videos posted on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter http://www.nyccounsel.com/business-blogs-websites/who-owns-photos-and-videos-posted-on-facebook-or-twitter/

Cambridge in Colourhttp://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/protect-online-photos.htm