Question

How do I copyright a picture I have taken and may want to sell copies to others? Is it best to number the picture? This is a very unique picture that is a once in a lifetime the way the object turned out. I can't even put a price on it.

Answer 1

Although the previous answers are correct ; when you create the photograph it is copyrighted. However, the image or images must be registered with the Library of Congress' Copyright office in order to have full protection from copyright infringement.

Answer 2

Cindy, your photograph is copyrighted because you took it; however, you may want to use various software programs to put your name on the face of it with a (c) or to do this in the caption. It doesn't prevent plagarism but will give you the ability to claim it as your own. A copyright is different from a trademark or patent in that it is not registered anywhere.

Answer 3

I recommend that you brand yourself a watermark as your signature to go on each of your photos. 

Also, just like musicians and songwriters what we submit to the copyright office is in the form of 'collections'. A whole album off songs, or single book with many short stories instead of copyrighting it one at a time. Make sure you have the timestamp function on in your camera - even if you decide to crop the photo - so that at least the original as a time stamp on it. Buy a terabyte hard drive to store and back-up your photos.

And once you get enough to form a collection - here's the link to the Copyright office. http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

Good luck!

Angelina Musik-Comp
MOMtrepreneurs Founder
http://www.MOMtrepreneurs.com
http://www.AngelinaMusik.com

 

Answer 4

As soon as you take the photo, you own the copyright!