Re: [Leica] work problems

[Thomas Kachadurian <kach@freeway.net>]

Dave:

I beleive you responded to a thread regarding the unauthorized
re-publication of images published in copyrighted forms. 

You won't get an agrument from me on your position. Photographers can only
hold the copyrights they protect.

Tom

At 11:08 AM 1/27/98 -0600, you wrote:
>> 
>> <We all have to deal with challenges at work. You could change
proffessions.
>> Lets talk about Leica.
>> 
>> Dave>
>
>> Thomas Kachadurian wrote:
>
>> Dave:
>> 
>> I hope you are kidding. There is not lens or body that will have more
>> impact on photographers than the abuse of copyrights.
>> 
>> Tom
>
>Hey Tom,
>
>As a camera store/ full-service lab owner my income is impacted every day
by the current 
>copyright laws. My business follows all copyright laws to the letter. Not
a day goes by 
>that someone doesn't leave my store angry about being turned away because
the material 
>was copyrighted. Their frustration is almost always directed at us. I
accept this 
>situation as part of the climate in which I must do business. 
>
>We do try to assist the customer in obtaining a release in an effort to
facilitate 
>solving a customer's problem and to get the job. If the material in
question is not 
>watermarked or stickered but looks like it was professionally done, I am
supposed to 
>turn the work away. Have you seen what an amatuer can do armed with decent
film, a 
>little knowledge, a Canon Rebel, auto fill-flash, good finishing, etc.?
The burden of 
>proof of copyright should fall squarely on the shoulders of those who
want/need the 
>protection, not my counter help. Simply put, many professionals fail to
take the time to 
>do the simple things to protect themselves.
>
>When the work is clearly marked as copyrighted material, most of the time
the copyright 
>holder is not noted. Who should the customer contact? God forbid including
a phone 
>number or other means of contact. If I were a professional photographer
who wanted to be 
>compensated for the ongoing use of my images, I would do a couple of
things. First, I 
>would make it easy for people to contact me. Second, I would make a
release easy to 
>obtain. Easy - but very worth my while!
>
>Several times we have contacted professionals on behalf of a customer only
find the 
>professional unwilling to co-operate. If anyone wants to refuse use, its
fine with me - 
>I can stop wasting my time. We have been told " I'll agree verbally but I
don't have 
>time to get you something on my letterhead". WOW! Yes Your Honor, but he
said....
>
>One photographer felt inconvienenced by my policy and proceeded to direct
her students 
>at the local fine art school to do business elsewhere.
>
>It is important for me to stress that we never do more than is authorized
by the 
>photographer. 
>
>While I cannot tell you how much money I have lost protecting you guys,
suffice to say 
>its a lot. My company will continue to respect copyrights. I don't feel we
are 
>unqualified to handle anyone's work. Hey professionals, how about a little
help?
>
>No Tom, I'm not kidding. I am in this group to talk about Leica equipment.
If we want to 
>continue talking about the various hardships concerning our jobs, we ought
to do it on 
>the Wrongs and Injustices at Work Users Group, not the LUG.
>
>Dave
>
>
>