I shoot photos for friend's uni project, then he said i don't own the rights of them

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oliwood

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so a friend of mine asked me to take some photos for his uni film project, I didn't get paid as i thought it's nice to help a friend out.

afterwards i put some of the actors' photos up on my facebook as i know them and they are helping this guy for free as well. Then i receive a text from this guy acting furious:

"Will you please remove all pix you took from the internet! You dont own the right to those pix. They are publicity shots. Please don't ***** up my project. If you want some to use for yourself then ask me for permission."

I find this ridiculous that some people can take things so seriously. I understand that under studio production condition the film company do own the rights. But in this case: 1. I wasn't paid 2 I didn't sign any kind of contract. 3. it's a bloody uni project.

It irritates me so much that the amount of hours i put into this and being treated like crap. So i'm holding back on giving him the original files, and i'm seeking for help that is there any kind of agreement i can get him to sign that certify my rights over my photos. I only want to do this to make him realise how ridiculous he is later in his life.

any help would be much appreciated.
 
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If you still have the original files then hand over copies AFTER he signs a contract with you stipulating that you retain copyright or the right to display in any media as you see fit; etc, etc. If he doesn't want that then he's okay to look for someone else to take pictures. I believe that as you are the photographer you own the copyright.
 
Tell him to stop being a d***!
You took those pics, you own the copyright.

Don't give him the files for free if he's treating you like that.
If he wants to dictate where they will or won't be uploaded, he can pay for the copyright to be transferred to him - but that ain't cheap :lol:
 
You are quite within your rights to tell this guy to Foxtrot Oscar!

YOU took the image on YOUR camera. So whatever they say, legally the copyright belongs to YOU!

You have just learn't the first rule of business. It doesn't matter who they are, you should always get confirmation (in writing if possible) in advance, what he wants from you and what you will be supplying to him!

YOU have more legal rights to get him to stop using YOUR images...

Just another example of a photographer being conned into giving their images away. :bang:

You could always send him an invoice for the images and say you will take them down when you have paid me for them... :rules:
 
If you ignore the the second and last sentence in the email, which are of course legally wrong, then his request makes more sense.

He has clearly misunderstood the legal position, but you have also misunderstood where he's coming from. For some reason, he doesn't want these images bandied about. And let's be honest, you have published them without full consideration of all the circumstances.

Forget the legal position and threatening eachother, just work something out in a sensible chat.
 
Thank you guys for replying, I deleted all the photos on facebook now.

I was upset only because I spent 3 days doing the photo shooting and paid the return train tickets each day myself to the filming location. and at the end of the day he clearly claims the photos to himself.

Can someone guide me to a template of contract/use agreement indicate my copyright and the photos can only be used for non commercial purposes?

thanx
 
I would take a photo of my middle finger and send that over to him for his project.

If someone wants to act like a child they will be treated like one.

If you send any over, write a document stating they are your photos and they are only to be used in X place and use elsewhere will result in X.
Get him to sign it before getting pics. NO sign no images. Also write in the metdata all your details etc..
 
oliwood said:
Thank you guys for replying, I deleted all the photos on facebook now.

I was upset only because I spent 3 days doing the photo shooting and paid the return train tickets each day myself to the filming location. and at the end of the day he clearly claims the photos to himself.

Can someone guide me to a template of contract/use agreement indicate my copyright and the photos can only be used for non commercial purposes?

thanx
Click to expand...


Think this may help you... http://c4c.the-aop.org/downloads
 
Dont go in there guns blazing or you'll end up waving bits of paper around at each other and not fixing the problem. The guy's probably stressing about his project and wants it to be right.

Just say to him you'd be fine with holding back release of the photos on your side til he's submitted the project, but they are your photos, and assuming you didnt go into an agreement that he'd have the copyright or creation right over them so you'd be using them for your own portfolio in place of any cash payment

If there's more to the story, now's probably a good time to say it though
 
HoppyUK said:
If you ignore the the second and last sentence in the email, which are of course legally wrong, then his request makes more sense.

He has clearly misunderstood the legal position, but you have also misunderstood where he's coming from. For some reason, he doesn't want these images bandied about. And let's be honest, you have published them without full consideration of all the circumstances.

Forget the legal position and threatening eachother, just work something out in a sensible chat.
Click to expand...
:thumbs:
 
Inform him he does not own the copyright and you've changed your mind about him using them since he is such a ****. Universitys are very heavy handed when it comes to using copyright material so he'll be well and truely REMOVED lol.



oliwood said:
so a friend of mine asked me to take some photos for his uni film project, I didn't get paid as i thought it's nice to help a friend out.

afterwards i put some of the actors' photos up on my facebook as i know them and they are helping this guy for free as well. Then i receive a text from this guy acting furious:

"Will you please remove all pix you took from the internet! You dont own the right to those pix. They are publicity shots. Please don't ***** up my project. If you want some to use for yourself then ask me for permission."

I find this ridiculous that some people can take things so seriously. I understand that under studio production condition the film company do own the rights. But in this case: 1. I wasn't paid 2 I didn't sign any kind of contract. 3. it's a bloody uni project.

It irritates me so much that the amount of hours i put into this and being treated like crap. So i'm holding back on giving him the original files, and i'm seeking for help that is there any kind of agreement i can get him to sign that certify my rights over my photos. I only want to do this to make him realise how ridiculous he is later in his life.

any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
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Photoshop the images to make it look like he's been caught in a compromising postition with a South Wales mountain sheep or something. :nuts:

Teach him a lesson for being a rude REMOVED
 
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HoppyUK said:
If you ignore the the second and last sentence in the email, which are of course legally wrong, then his request makes more sense.

He has clearly misunderstood the legal position, but you have also misunderstood where he's coming from. For some reason, he doesn't want these images bandied about. And let's be honest, you have published them without full consideration of all the circumstances.

Forget the legal position and threatening eachother, just work something out in a sensible chat.
Click to expand...

+1

To be honest, this is something you should both have worked out in advance.. he sounds more aggreived that you've published the shots too early than anything else.

It sounds like he's annoyed you've ruined his planning/surprise/schedule. Which he should have told you about (and you should have asked for).

You both have reasonable points of view. And there's nothing in the scenario can't be worked out sensibly over a cup of coffee.


I wonder if many of those giving advice above have friends? there's certainly a worse attitude in some of their suggestions than I would accept from a friend.
 
I think Andy H is probably right.
He's likely concerned that he'll get into trouble or his project might be endangered by someone else putting up the images before it's all submitted, graded and signed off etc. OK, his txt is poorly worded but to me that seems like where he's coming from.

No need to be an equal douche, just take down the photos and tell him you won't put any online until after he gets his grades.
 
Tell him that you own the copyright which, given that no contract has been signed detailing what use they may be put to, you can do with as you please. Also tell him that as he is being such a dick, if he still wishes to use the images for his project, you have had a change of heart with regard to supplying them free of charge, and they will now cost him £50 per image.

Idiot, who needs friends like that!?
 
you own the copyright and can do with them as you want.

maybe you could have agreed some tem before you started the job.

i did a wedding for free but they agreed that i could use them for my portfolio.

mabee you could come to some agreement, ie you will take them off face book until the work has been marked , if you get credit for the photography

thats seems fair to me

Cheers Steve
 
You own the copyright unless there was a contract in place to pass the copyright to a third party.

A contract would have stipulated how both parties may use the images.

If the images were just of the actors and not for example any scene shots i.e. stills from the movie then there should be no issue - film companies do not normally allow any usage of stills shots by the photographer (again in the contract)

I would send a polite letter stating that your friend is somewhat mistaken in their understanding of copyright and that as you had done this whilst meeting the costs your understanding was that you had an equal right to their use. I would then further grant a limited use for the images within their project and only within their project i.e. not to be used for any publicity or non-project related usage. As examples they would not be able to use them on a website or as part of a job application without payment for a licence. You will then have met your side of the bargain.

Should you have further issues then the person to contact is his lecturer/tutor as he should have put these measures in place if he is doing the project in a professional manner.

Mike
 
Oh, and i know were having fun here, but do be professional towards him, don't call him some of the things that people have been saying on here!

And see it from his point of view, he doesn't want his project being spoilt and copied before its even finished! (Especially on fb) tell him youll wait until hes released it to show the photos, but you own them.
 
well some friend, all's fare in love and war:suspect:


get em back and tell them politely to do one, and if they use/copy then be prepared for action, against the uni, in fact have a word with the uni, i am sure they understand the rules.:rules:


Merc the merciless:thumbs::thumbs:
 
All this could be resolved by simply talking to the guy. The problem with communication by text and email is that it's fixed messages - positions get entrenched - people get angry - friends become ex-friends. Speak to the bloke, explain that as there was no contract in place that explicitly signed away copyright to him, that you have full copyright over the shots, and will be using them in whatever way you want - however, if it'll cause him problems with his college work - tell him you're prepared to reach a compromise and take them offline until he's graded on them - OR - if he wants the pictures, then you'll assign copyright to him, for "mates rates" pricing. And if he still acts like a male chicken, then tell him to Foxtrot Oscar, slap them up on your website/blog/where-ever - suitably copyright watermarked, and bill him at full commercial rates for anything that you've delivered. BUT - give him the chance, preferably face-to-face - to be reasonable about things, and work out a compromise.
 
POAH said:
Inform him he does not own the copyright and you've changed your mind about him using them since he is such a ****. Universitys are very heavy handed when it comes to using copyright material so he'll be well and truely REMOVED lol.
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:thumbs:

You do not need friends like this :cuckoo:!
 
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I think the answer to this problem lies in how good a friend this person is. If they are the kind of person you could take or leave as a friend then stand your ground and tell him that you own the copyright to the photos and you are within your rights to do what you want with them. If he didn't want the photos published then he should have made it clear when he first contacted you about doing the photos. If he did make it clear to you and you published them anyway then shame on you!!!!

If on the other hand this is a good friend of yours that you'd like to remain friends with then be reasonable, speak to the guy and come to an agreement about who uses the photos, what they'll be used for and when they'll be used.
 
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OK there are several things here:

Copyright, unless you have signed it away, is yours

However, if he has effectively commissioned you to take photos for his project, releasing them before his project is unveiled is pretty bad form on your part and I would be pretty upset with you if you had done that.
 
Get some new friends. You can probably get by quite well without some of the old ones.
 
working with family and friends is does not alway work , unless you have clear guidelines you both stick to.

try and sort it out with your if he is a good friend , try and agree terms

Cheers Steve
 
oliwood said:
so a friend of mine asked me to take some photos for his uni film project, I didn't get paid as i thought it's nice to help a friend out.

afterwards i put some of the actors' photos up on my facebook as i know them and they are helping this guy for free as well. Then i receive a text from this guy acting furious:

"Will you please remove all pix you took from the internet! You dont own the right to those pix. They are publicity shots. Please don't ***** up my project. If you want some to use for yourself then ask me for permission."

I find this ridiculous that some people can take things so seriously. I understand that under studio production condition the film company do own the rights. But in this case: 1. I wasn't paid 2 I didn't sign any kind of contract. 3. it's a bloody uni project.

It irritates me so much that the amount of hours i put into this and being treated like crap. So i'm holding back on giving him the original files, and i'm seeking for help that is there any kind of agreement i can get him to sign that certify my rights over my photos. I only want to do this to make him realise how ridiculous he is later in his life.

any help would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Print out some articles with information on how copyrights work (even a wiki would probably do), stick it in a manilla folder and write on it "bedtime reading", and give it to him.
 
Get better friends.
 
I think it was a mistake to put them on FB before his project is in.

However his email is pretty rude.

I would write something along the lines of

"**his name** I am sorry for putting the photos on FB before your project has been handed in.

However you are a bit of a pillock for sending me a nasty email.

Let's have a beer and laugh at how we are both idiots.

I will then let you have the photos for your project & I'll explain at the same time about copyright.

**your name**
 
Speak to him, you will probably find its a misunderstanding.
If not then at least you will know, much better to do these things by talking rather than text/e-mail/blogs/tinterweb nasty's:D
 
This sounds like a bit of a storm in a teacup. As far as I can see, your friend asked you to take some photographs for his university film project. I don't imagine either of you even thought about discussing terms and conditions - I wouldn't under those circumstances.

Your friend saw some of the images on Facebook and had a hissy fit because he was worried about the possible impact on his project. OK, fair enough. His text was a bit hysterical, but I doubt if he knows anything about copyright. He probably assumed that they were his images, because he asked you to take them for his project, and flew off the handle. He's wrong of course, but I don't think it's worth turning it into a major drama.

If the friendship matters, call him, tell him about copyright, and work something out that both of you are happy with. If it doesn't, send him a registered letter pointing out that you own the copyright, and that he may not use any of the images without purchasing the copyright from you, or paying for licensed use.

Your friend
 
Shouldn't he be doing his own project, think that was called cheating when I was at school
 
First step would be to cross him off your friends list on FB.
 
You own the copyright he doesn't Tell him to go shove it...... and tell him he doesn't have your permission to use your images and they are staying on your web site. B....y Cheek!

Paul
 
Is it really worth getting so tetch about?

Some of the responses on the subject are simply staggering.....:thumbsdown:
 
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