Do Photographers Have Copyright Ownership Over Their Images?

Although vendors often work together, that does not mean you have to give your copyrighted work to vendors for free nor can your vendors automatically use your photos without consent. In Episode 140 of The Legal Paige Podcast, I dig into the power of licensing agreements and how you can ultimately leverage them in your business.

Imagine this: A wedding photographer booked a couple earlier this year. As the countdown grew closer to the big day, the monkeypox outbreak spread across the country, public health emergencies were declared, and the client spirals into a downright panic. The photographer opens up their email to find their client trying to get out of their contract due to the “national emergency”.

Imagine this: You’ve come up with a genius business idea and are 100% certain that it is THE next big thing.

After much debate, you brainstorm a name that is bound to go viral and quickly dig into bringing it all to life. You buy a website domain, grab the social media handle, and are well on your merry way to entrepreneurial success when you find out…someone else has your business name. *Cue sad trombone*

Do you throw a tantrum? Contact the person and cause a scene? Look at trademarking the name before they can? Or is it time to relinquish your favorite business name (even though it makes you feel like your great idea is crumbling to the ground)?