My wedding photographer gave us 'copyright release' on our pictures. What does this mean?

I have recently seen images of myself and my husband online promoting the wedding packages offered by the hotel we held our reception at. I was not notified of their use, and believe I also hold the copyright? Do I have a case to pursue, and if so where do I go next?

You most likely signed an agreement that the person has the rights to use your pictures for advertisement where it seams applicable. The photographer owns the copyright unless it is specifically signed over to you. However, even though they probably still have the copyright, they still probably had you sign a contract. Did you get a copy of the contract? If you didn't sign anything, then that is probably the only way of doing anything. Most wedding photographers, including me, retain the photos copyrights, and give the bride and groom exclusive rights to do what ever they wish for the photos. Meaning they get a cd, and do what they want with them. At the same time we get to use them for the wedding website upon your signature.

Even though they probably have the copyright, they still need permission to use a photo of you for advertising purposes or places where they sell the photo to make a profit. If you signed something stating they can use it, then they can do anything with it short of a porno magazine. Reason being, they can only use it in reference to what the picture was meant for (wedding and anything related). A lawsuit granted a women money because her photo was placed in a dirty magazine. Even though she granted them to use the photo, she did not intend it to be used in that form. Therefore if you see your photo in a mens magazine, then you would have a case.

So all you can do is find out if you have a contract copy, if not ask them to supply one for you. If you never signed anything, then you possibly could do something. However the sticky part, they are only showing there photos on the website, but they aren't directly selling the photo. Therefore they aren't profiting necessarily on the photo. However, with any great attorney I'm sure they could find some loop hole. Good luck.

The photographer originally holds the copyright to the photos, which means that you cannot take the pics somewhere and make copies of them. When he gave you the copyright release, that allows you to make copies of the photos, but still allows him to use them for advertising, promotions, etc.

When you signed the contract with the photographer, you were also signing a release allowing him to use the pics for advertising purposes, promotions, etc.

My wife and I got the copyright release with our pictures and that is the way he explained it to us.

Was this a picture of the two of you specifically? Was it part of your wedding package that you paid a photographer to take? Did you sign a release with a photographer granting him commercial rights to your shots? Are you personally identifiable in the photos?

Just a few of the questions that need to be answered before you can get good advice....Thanks!

unless the photographer had some sort of agreement between you and your new spouse prior to taking the pictures then he had no right to publish them-put simply he should have asked you first they might be his pictures until purchased-but it was your image he used.

i would seek legal advice.

sounds like you gave him the right to use your pictures.