How to Copyright One or More Photographs

Recently I enrolled in a basic photography class and I am loving it! Of course, I didn’t have anywhere to go but up.  Still, my photographs are improving and I am looking for a new camera. So it is with this in mind that I thought I would take a moment to write about how to copyright photographs.

Copyright Basics

Before diving into photographs specifically, let’s talk about copyrights a bit more generically first.

A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection that is recognized by the United States federal government. A copyright exists immediately upon creation and is given initially to the author or authors of “original works of authorship.”  The copyright exists upon creation and does not depend upon either publication or registration, although there are significant advantages to federal registration of a copyright.  One, for example, is the right to seek redress for copyright infringement only exists for those with a federal registration.  Notwithstanding, no registration is required in order for a copyright to exist or to be claimed to exist. Likewise, no registration is required for an author to begin using the familiar copyright symbol — ©, but given the cost and benefit of obtaining a copyright you should absolutely obtain a registered copyright. If you file your own copyright application and do it online the cost as of the writing of this article is just $35.

Despite the fact that originality is indeed the so-called “sine qua non” of a copyright, all works that are original are not necessarily entitled to copyright protection. Copyright protection can exist only in original works of authorship if the work is also fixed in a tangible medium of expression from which the work can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Works of authorship for which copyright protection are available include the following categories or works : (1) literary works ; (2) musical works, including any accompanying words; (3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music; (4) pantomimes and choreographic works; (5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works ; (6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works ; (7) sound recordings; and (8) architectural works.

Works of Visual Art

So where do photographs fall?  A photograph is considered a work of visual art, which is encompassed by category #5 — “pictorial, graphic and sculptural works.”  Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art. The Copyright Office, which is a branch of the Library of Congress, says that pictorial, graphic and sculptural works include the follow works:

When is a Work Published?

Before starting to discuss the specifics relative to copyrighting photographs we need to first address the issue of publication.  Before moving forward with a copyright application it will be necessary to determine whether the work, in this case a photograph, has been published or not. You can get a copyright ultimately in either published or unpublished works, but the form you use may be different and the deposit requirements may vary depending upon whether the work is considered published or unpublished.

Single Photographs and Photograph Collections

With one application and filing fee, you can apply to register a single published photograph or an entire unit or package of published photographs—for example, photos in a calendar, a set of baseball cards, or illustrations in a book. You can apply to register these types of photographs using Electronic Copyright Office (eCO) or paper Form VA. See also Copyright Basics and Registering a Copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office for more details.  Do note, however, that published and unpublished photographs cannot be registered on the same application.

Although published and unpublished photographs cannot be registered with the same application, you can apply to register a single unpublished photograph or an unpublished collection of photographs with one application and filing fee using eCO or paper Form VA. For collections of unpublished photographs:

• the photographs must be neatly assembled;
• a collection title must be provided;
• the same party must be the copyright claimant for all the photos; and
• one author must have either created or contributed to all the photos.

Regardless of publication status, applicants should assign a title to each photograph deposited and specify the title on both the application form and the deposit itself. Do not use “untitled” as a title. If you file using eCO, use the contents title field to list the individual titles.

Groups of published photographs

A group of published photographs can be registered on a single form with a single fee if: (1) all the photographs are by the same photographer (if an employer for hire is named as author, only one photographer’s work can be included); (2) all the photographs are published in the same calendar year; and (3) all the photographs have the same copyright claimant.

You can use Form GR/PPh/CON, which includes Form VA (visual arts application), to register groups of published photographs. It is available on the Copyright Office’s website at www.copyright.gov. If you use Form GR/PPh/CON, you can apply to register up to 750 photographs on a single application. If you would like to register more than 750 photographs, you can do so with a single filing fee using Form VA if you identify the date of publication for each photograph on the images deposited with the application.

For information about electronic registration of groups of published photographs, see SL-39.

Published contributions to periodicals

Photographs published in periodicals (newspapers or magazines) in any 12-month period can be combined on Form GR/CP. Of course, there are special rules.  For example, the same individual author must have created all the photos; no employer for hire can be named as author; all the photos must have been published as contributions to periodicals within a 12-month period; and all the photos must have the same copyright claimant.

If you need assistance with preparing and filing a copyright application please let me know — just send me an e-mail.  Attorneys at my firm can assist you.