all that meta data can be edited or erased. if the photo were printed, its all gone! a scanned print has no meta data of ownership.
my negative is my certification.
small claims isnt beyong a reasonable doubt or has to be unanimous. just tip the scales 51:49 in your favor and is resonable, the judge rules in your favor!
Sorry to put you on the spot Bruce:
So just to get back to the previous information ... without the copyright registration from the Library of Congress Copyright Registration office, bringing a case against an copyright offender is useless, whether one has the digital file on their Jazz Drive, glossy RC Paper Negative or 11x14 FujiChrome Transparency (with one's name embossed in the rebate). Those things may present "ownership/creation<?>" but not copyright registration? When was the "Poorman's Copyright" (copies of all the images postmarked/barrel stamped in an unopened sealed (dated) envelope considered not good enough? I remember when I was having contract issues and I consulted an attorney we had this copyright image theft conversation and he said at that time ( early 2000s ) it wasn't considered good enough. Sure is easier when you are staff, you don't own anything, and its especially annoying when an image you "created" is copyrighted by an employer and after they gave you your $50 for it they sell it's use to the city to be put on every wrapped bus, billboard, taxicab top, magazine and newspaper ad in a 30mile radius LOL (BTDT)... good times!
$50!
How generous
I had a patent stolen at the factory for $1 by coworker
Never again
Tin Can
My grandfather was an electrical engineer in the Air Force. He invented a significant piece of tech that would be worth millions. He put in a request to patent it and his supervisor stole the patent, quit the service, and started a company producing this item. Millionaire is an understatement.
I'm not put on the spot at all - let me try to clarify what I see as the biggest misconception about registration - most people here believe that registration is proof of ownership - it is not. You have to look at registration in the same way that registering to vote allows you to vote. You don't have to vote if you are registered, but you cannot vote if you are not registered. You don't have to register your photograph with the LOC, and you do own the copyright, but to file a lawsuit (Which takes place in Federal Court) you have to register the photograph to pursue that option. It is simply your ticket to the dance. The details of ownership and the case itself - ie the negatives, or files etc are presented in discovery or depositions as the case moves forward. When you register also has big implications on the success of the case, especially the financial aspects- registration prior to an infringement allows you to seek legal fees from the infringer if you prevail -this can mean thousands of $$ in your pocket - and/or the possibility of having an attorney work on your case on a contingency basis.
At its simplest it is just good business practice to routinely register, in the same way that crafting a good contract is good for your business.
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