Photographic
images, in original, printed or digital form, are protected under the Berne
Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Universal
Copyright Convention (UCC). In the UK copyright is also protected under
the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Although copyright infringement
is normally a matter for civil courts, deliberate infringement of copyright
can be a criminal offence. Copyright protection ensures that the creator
has exclusive rights over copying, adapting, distributing, communicating
to the public by electronic transmission (including by broadcasting and
in an on demand service), renting or lending copies to the public, and performance
in public, of the work.
What
is Image Licensing?
The use of high quality
images in advertising, publishing and the media is controlled by image licensing.
The photographer sells agreed rights for the use of a given image for an
agreed fee. The licence will include provisions governing: who it may be used by; the purpose for
which the image may be used; the length of time it may be used for that purpose; how many times it can be used for that purpose; the countries or territories it may be used in; and
whether there is exclusivity in the usage.
Why
Image Licensing?
Licensing images
helps to ensure that image users do not infringe photographer's copyright
and also ensures that photographer's copyright and commercial interests
are protected. Licensing also ensures that buyers do not have to pay more
than they need to you for use of a particular image. To purchase all rights
or copyright in an image is extremely expensive, whereas in most situations
a picturebuyer only needs to use an image for a very particular use and
for a limited period of time, commonly a year or less.
How Much Will I Pay?
The price of an image
licence depends entirely on the use for which it is required. As a general
rule educational publishing is cheaper than advertising, a 10,000 copy print
run is cheaper than 20,000, a licence for the UK only is cheaper than World
rights, and non-exclusive use of the image is cheaper than exclusive use.
It is important when making a picture request to give as much information
as possible about the licence you require to avoid paying more than
you need to. You should also read our terms
& conditions which apply whenever you request and/or licence images
from us. Please bear in mind that a licence is not conferred until payment
has been received.