Copyright Workflow for Photographers

Chapter 1: Copyright basics

* A very brief history of copyright law

* What copyright protects: fixation and originality

* The "bundle" of copyright's exclusive rights

* Limitations and exceptions to the exclusive rights

* Infringement of the exclusive rights

* The registration requirement and why it matters

* "Selling" versus licensing (generally)



Chapter 2: Copyright in the digital economy

* The outdated nature of copyright law and the challenges for photographers

* The paradox of "getting it out there"

* The tragedy of the "right-click license"

* Metadata stripping and protecting yourself

* Websites and social media terms of service

* Balancing enforcement with exposure



Chapter 3: Foundations of copyright registration

* Copyright registration policy: the statutory quid pro quo

* Ideal registration workflow camera settings

* Importing images into Lightroom (R)

* Deciding how to register (single image; group; collection)

* Determining the publication status

* Gathering the information necessary to file a registration application

* Preparing the deposit copy



Chapter 4: Online registration using eCO

* Establishing an account on the Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) system

* Signing in and preparing a new application

* Application procedure for a single registration

* Application procedure for a basic registration

* Application procedure for registration of an unpublished collection

* Payment process using pay.gov

* Uploading the deposit



Chapter 5: Registration using paper forms

* Choosing the appropriate form

* Application procedure for group registration of published photographs

* Preparing the deposit copy

* Mailing instructions and traps for the unwary



Chapter 6: After applying for registration

* Handling questions or other correspondence from the Copyright Office

* Options for dealing with rejected applications

* Managing registration information after registration

* Updating the Lightroom (R) catalog

* Maintaining certificates of registration and record keeping generally



Chapter 7: Best practices for sharing and selling images

* Three steps to minimizing infringement: make it very easy to buy; a little bit difficult to steal; and a pleasure to work with you

* "Selling" versus "licensing" (reprise from chapter 1)

* Optimizing metadata

* Watermarking; disabling "right-click" functionality; blank image overlays

* Electronic commerce solutions for selling and licensing images



Chapter 8: Dealing with infringement

* Identifying infringements using web crawling and image recognition

* Issuing takedown notices under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

* Infringement litigation in general

* Alternatives to litigation

* When to hire a lawyer