How to Copyright A Photo

With plagiarism all over the internet, learn how you can copyright your photos and protect all of your original work of art. Learn what copyrights you need to obtain to make your products safe.

Instructions

1. Remember that once you take a photo of something, it is already copyrighted. You do not have to do any paperwork or pay any fees to have it copyrighted; you own the copyrights of your pictures. The duration of the copyright of your photo is for a lifetime plus 70 years.

2. Pay an extra $45 for additional copyright protection. Although the extra protection might be worth it, is usually isn't needed for most people. You can file for an advanced copyright at copyright.gov.

3. Remember that under the "Fair Use" clause, people are allowed to use your photographs for certain purposes. This might be the case for news reporting, parody, teaching, research and personal use. The infringer must show that the use of the photos was fair.

Tips & Warnings

• The advantage of filing for a copyright is that if a dispute arises, you can get punitive damages as well as get compensated for any actual damages.

• Although your photos are copyrighted, the ideas and viewpoints are not. For example, if you take a picture of Yosemite Park, you cannot stop others from taking the same picture.

References

• Wedding Photography Directory: Copyright Your Photos