This page is intended to clarify the difference between copyright and licence of usage rights.

Many clients find it difficult to understand the complicated structure of copyright protection is in place to protect the photographer and indeed the client.

Who Owns The Image Copyright?

Simply put, the copyright of an image remains with the creator. In the case of a photograph, it is the photographer who retains all copyright.

What Is A Licence of Usage Rights?

This is a license issued to the client, that gives the client permission to use either an individual photo, selection of images or individual image for the purpose & period of time stated. These are usually limited to a geographical area.

What Kind of Licence Purpose are there?

There are three types of purpose behind a licence.

• Print
This is the most common issued licence and allows the images to be used for any print media. (e.g. Magazine, Newspaper, Brochure, Flyer, Etc).

• Web
Becoming more and more common, a web licence is issued when an image is to be used for website purposes.

• Broadcast/Recorded Video
In the event that a stills image is used in a broadcast transmission or recorded video this licence grants usage rights for that purpose

Is the licence confined to a Country?

Not as such. If your licence has anything other than Worldwide Use listed on it, this simply means that use of image is limited only to the countries given. This means that you can print and distribute your catalogue from the named countries only, but the catalogue can be distributed to any country worldwide. In summary, if you have United Kingdom only on your license you can only print and distribute from the United Kingdom.

What are Reservations/Limitations?

The copyright holder may issue reservations or limitations in the usage of their images. An example would often be seen in Broadcast/Recorded Video licenses, that state the image may not be aired in countries outside of Europe. Another example maybe pertain to confidentiality of the image, to stop it being used outside of the company.

Yet another example of reservation comes in with time restrictions, as licenses can be issued for Lifetime usage with 5 yearly pricing negotiation.

Are there Time Restrictions?

This is down to the license issuer.
In most cases the period of license is either 1 year at a time or Lifetime Without Reservation.

What if I need to use an image outside of the licence conditions?

You must contact the copyright holder and obtain permission.
New UK law is being discussed which will protect you should the copyright holder be unavailable. In the mean time it is the copyright holders responsability to ensure you have all their current contacts options.