COPYRIGHT YOUR IMAGES

Protect your rights as the owner of your images by submitting work for coverage

How to protect your rights as the owner of your images

While online image platforms have provided opportunities for immense social reach, the internet also introduces risks for asset theft in equal measure. The image files we create are our intellectual property, and while in the predigital age widespread copying and distribution of photographs was labour-intensive, today a JPEG can be copied thousands of times with ease. Any images we place online using mainstream methods, such as uploading to Flickr or 500px, are likely covered by some level of copyright; for maximum security, submitting images for full copyright application will provide evidence of your absolute ownership of your photography. For photographers with extensive online galleries or professionals who distribute files to clients on a limited-use basis, this is an essential step to avoid future conflicts over image rights and potentially lost revenue. Copyright application can be done affordably and with ease using online services.