UK copyright law changes

[ABphoto]

If you werent aware of this it is it's probably worth doing some reading as this could have a devastating effect on our rights as photographers - both pro and amature.

The UK parliment is voting soon on a bill to change the way copyright legislation deals with what they call 'orphaned works' which means any image that cannot be attributed to it's author. The changes will mean a government authority will take control of these images and for a fee licence people to use them like stock photography. The proposed bill states that if the copyright holder is subsequently found they will be entitled to 'a proportion' of the fees they charged for it's use, no further clarification is given on proposed fees of the proportion paid to copyright holders.

This is being proposed to make it easier for the likes of museums to use images that it is impossible to track down the copyright holder but the way they have described will open us all up to a serious threat of wholesale copyright violation.

It is extremely easy to render a work orphaned, the removal of copyright notices and EXIF date is fairly commonplace in the industry. We have all had experience in the past of images being stolen and passed off as someone elses.

This raises serious concerns about publishers intentionally creating orphaned works, I for one am not sold on the idea of publishers using the honours system considering on more than one ocasion I have had to fight to have content removed for breaching copyright.

If like me this concerns you a good place to start is here, this article has great advice on mailing your local MP to register your worries

[miketoll]

They never properly think these thing through do they?

[ABphoto]

Well no they don't, unfortunately it is us that will suffer and the NUJ (national union of journalists) hasn't even been consulted. It appears this is to be voted on in the next 6 weeks so any exposure this gets is a benefit.

I did a little further reading on this last night and it also appears there is provision in the proposed Digital economy bill for the government to change the terms of this in the future without public consultation so who knows how this will effect your rights then.

[miketoll]

Typical, this country used to be a democracy once.

[ABphoto]

Petition to Abandon plans to amend copyright protection for photographers which
effectively amount to nationalisation of photography. Petition Downing Street here

[swissjoel]

Hi guys,

I feel this is an often overlooked subject, as clients and photographers often confused by intellectual property and copyright law. I've written an interesting scenario that explains the law to help clear up this tricky subject - what do you think? Link below.

http://www.joelknightphotography.co....page/13209.xml

Comments appreciated and please share to raise awareness and spread knowledge.

[Peter Waites]

I'm interested but your link goes to a blank page Joel.(Or at least it does on my machine)

[swissjoel]

Try this.. http://www.joelknightphotography.co....page/13209.xml

[swissjoel]

http://bit.ly/ugY43z

Try about as well...

[swissjoel]

or www.joelknightphotography.co.uk and go to the page "who owns the image?"