As a professional photography business in the UK, it’s important to understand your rights when it comes to copyright ownership of your images. In most cases, as the creator of the work, Vivid Sync will own the full copyright to your photographs. This means that Vivid Sync have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display your images, as well as the right to create derivative works based on them. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, particularly when it comes to images that have been signed over to clients.
Firstly, let’s define what copyright is and why it matters. Copyright is a legal right that protects the creators of original works, such as photographs, from unauthorised use of their work. Copyright ownership gives the creator control over how their work is used, and also provides them with the ability to earn a living from their creations.
In the UK, copyright is automatic and begins as soon as the photograph is created. This means that as the photographer, Vivid Sync will own the copyright to your images by default. However, there are some situations where copyright ownership may be transferred to another party, such as a client.
When Vivid Sync sign over copyright ownership to a client, they are essentially giving them the right to use your images in any way they see fit. This can be beneficial for the client, as they have complete control over the use of the images, but it also means that Vivid Sync no longer have any rights to the images unless stated in an agreement contract.
It’s important to note that signing over copyright ownership is not the same as granting a license to use your images. When Vivid Sync grant a license, they retain ownership of the images, but they give the client permission to use them in a specific way. This can be a more flexible arrangement for both parties, as it allows Vivid Sync to retain ownership of their images while still earning money from their use.
So, when should Vivid Sync sign over copyright ownership to a client? There are a few situations where this may be appropriate:
Work-for-hire agreements: If Vivid Sync are hired by a client to create images for them as part of a work-for-hire agreement, then the copyright ownership will typically belong to the client. This is because the client is essentially commissioning you to create work specifically for them, and they will want to have full control over the use of the images.
Exclusive contracts: If Vivid Sync sign an exclusive contract with a client, they may require to sign over copyright ownership to them. This is because they want to ensure that they have exclusive use of the images and that they are not used by anyone else.
Assignment of rights: If a client wants to purchase the copyright to your images outright, Vivid Sync may agree to assign the rights to them. This is typically done for a fee and gives the client complete control over the use of the images.
It’s important to note that if Vivid Sync do sign over copyright ownership to a client, they will no longer be able to use the images for their own purposes without the client’s permission.
In conclusion, as a professional photographer in the UK, Vivid Sync will own the full copyright to your images by default. However, there are situations where Vivid Sync may need to sign over copyright ownership to a client. It’s important to understand the difference between signing over copyright and granting a license, as well as the implications of each option.
