Now That You’re Outraged, Register Your Damn Copyright – PhotoShelter Blog

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Now That You’re Outraged, Register Your Damn Copyright – PhotoShelter Blog

Photographer Max Dubler struck a nerve with an article documenting the theft of one of his downhill skateboarding images. After finding a skateboard brand using one of his photos without authorization, he did as he always does – he contacted the offending

via PhotoShelter Blog: https://blog.photoshelter.com/2017/07/now-youre-outraged-register-damn-copyright/

In the US, a photographer does own the copyright the moment he/she presses the shutter. But damages for willful infringement are generally capped at the market value. Presumably $25 in Dubler’s case since that is the precedent he set. But when you register your image with the US Copyright Office, you can be awarded up to $150,000 per image for a willful infringement plus legal costs.