When it comes to the protection of intellectual property, there is no career where this is more important than being a professional photographer. You don’t want people to be able to use your photos without your permission. So how can you make sure that you get paid, especially when you often have to post images online to attract new clients?
You need to have professionally drafted contracts that outline the terms between you and your clients. Here are a few things that need to be included.
- Model/property releases – These contracts allow you to gain the rights to resell your work for commercial purposes. Without this, much of your work can only be used for editorial use or sold to the person/family you are working with.
- Image use – When you sell a photo, you want to determine how the buyer can use it. Will there be a print version, or is it just being used electronically? How many copies will be produced, or how many people will be seeing the image? Do you want to receive credit?
- Work-for-hire – This means that the company you produce the images for will own them. In order to retain ownership of your photos, you will have to work out either a rights-managed or royalty-free contract.
Intellectually Property Protection in San Diego
Pokala Law APC APC helps small businesses in the San Diego area to protect their intellectual property. One of the ways we do this is through drafting contracts between you and your clients that outline proper usage of your work. To learn more, give us a call today at 1.844.695.1487, or you can request an appointment online.
