Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/05/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Sam Carleton wrote: >>> So the whole model release was concerning this case in Quebec?<<<< Sam, Yes, the model release case is only in the Province of Quebec and has nothing to do with the rest of Canada. Quebec uses a version of the law system of France for their Provincial jurisdiction, so it's completely different from the rest of Canada which uses the UK system However, as Tina pointed out, if your picture is used in a completely different environment and implying the subject is involved in a "nefarious situation" when in fact they were not when you took the picture, you can, could and probably would be sued or some other court situation anywhere in the country. We, much like you folks in the USA, can photograph people if they are open in the public domain without asking permission, but we cannot use the picture for any form of advertising without a signed photo release. And while we're on this subject of "model releases" may I suggest you all stop using the term, "model release," simply because you encounter lay people who've heard the stories of models receiving hundreds or thousands of dollars to model, therefore some folks feel they should be paid when you say, "Will you sign this model release?" And as soon as they hear the word "model" their cash register mind starts going ka-ching, ka-ching! As they expect to be "paid!" Therefore, do as I do, use... "photo release or situation release" when asking for a signature and avoid any use of the "model" word at all. I can assure you at times it does make life easier in some cases. And if I ask and the subject starts on about getting paid and or other dumb ass stuff, I just respond with, "Thank you very much, we can get along just fine without using the picture and the negative will be destroyed when the film is processed." Then walk away. Do I destroy the negative? Not on your sweet life if it's a neat shot, but we make a note with the neg. file for future reference. Photography today can be difficult enough without having some haranguing knothead giving you a hard-time over being paid because you inadvertently used "model release instead of photo release." :-) Just keep it KISS simple, it's a photo release.;-) ted Ted Grant Photography Limited www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant