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07/30/2003 11:36:52 AM · #1
i have a question for which the #1 winner in trends is a good example: would the photographer have had to get a model release in order to publish that picture?
07/30/2003 11:42:28 AM · #2
NOTE: I am not an attorney, nor am I speaking on behalf of the site. This does not represnet legal advice or an offiial position of DPChallenge.

Generally speaking, a model release is not required for purely journalistic or artistic use. Such a release is required only when the photograph will be used for commercial purposes. In most cases a person is not entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy when out in public.

-Terry
07/30/2003 02:49:16 PM · #3
I agree with Terry. When I took that shot I debated on whether I could enter it without a model release or not.

I figured that since I was in a "tourist location" and they were in a public area, they fell into the photojournalism category. Also because I was entering a contest where you win no money it can not be considered commercial so I had that going for me.

I also figured what are the chances they or someone else that knew them would see the photo (actually I never expected this photo to win so didn’t think it would be a front pager) and complain, at which point I would gladly remove the photo.

08/06/2003 07:54:18 PM · #4
thank you. so i guess there's a gray area. do you think a contest with a monetary prize would legally compromise you, then? or, for example, could you not sell a print like that through this site, etc? i just really shy away from taking photos of people i don't know, although i would very much like to feel more comfortable doing so!
08/06/2003 09:05:44 PM · #5
Originally posted by Diversq:

I also figured what are the chances they or someone else that knew them would see the photo (actually I never expected this photo to win so didn’t think it would be a front pager) and complain, at which point I would gladly remove the photo.


Of course, you probably never expected a shot that matched your Speed shot to show up on PhotoSig either! ;-)
08/06/2003 09:08:33 PM · #6
Interesting question.

Generally I think of having to get a release if you're using someone's picture to promote something. If you're selling the picture itself....how does that work? You would think that if you took a picture of a crowd at a baseball game you wouldn't need model releases even if the closes subjects were quite visible.

I'm also trying to get over being shy about photographing interesting people.
08/06/2003 09:13:56 PM · #7
Originally posted by pupparazzo:

thank you. so i guess there's a gray area. do you think a contest with a monetary prize would legally compromise you, then? or, for example, could you not sell a print like that through this site, etc? i just really shy away from taking photos of people i don't know, although i would very much like to feel more comfortable doing so!

Entering it in a contest or critical forum (like DPC) is fine, whether or not there are any prizes.

Selling prints publicly (but NOT just to family/friends) would constitute commercial use, and you should have a release if possible, but in many cases it would depend on the actual content and purpose of the reproduction.

I am NOT a lawyer, but I can usually figure out how to sound like one when I need to ....

The two best links for this stuff:

US Copyright Office
Nolo Press (Legal self-help book publishers)

Message edited by author 2003-08-06 21:14:54.
08/06/2003 09:14:04 PM · #8
so then legally speaking, the first three winners in fill the frame would not need a release?


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