COpyrighting (sue, sell, file, people)

[Raven1976]

How does one go about copyrighting photographs and artwork?

[Humanoid]

Everything is copyrighted the minute you make it. An Official copyright is necessary for particular types of law suits and things of that nature.

You can copyright something for $35 (electronically) or $45 by filling out form CO at:

U.S. Copyright Office

Ideally, you want to file for copyright within 3 months of publication (or before) as otherwise you generally can't sue for statutory damages.

[Raven1976]

OKay I have some amazing pics I took of a concert I went to last week. I was right up in the front so I was able to get so many good ones. If I wanted to sell them to other people, do I need copyright for that because I took pics of a band?

[Humanoid]

I'm not sure whether you are allowed to sell these pictures or not. It depends on the policies of the concert hall. If it was a fairly popular band I would think its not allowed. But you should talk to someone that knows the details of the law in this case.

Pictures you take in the general public are yours to do whatever you want with, but when you enter a private establishment the rules change.

[Raven1976]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

It depends on the policies of the concert hall.

Well they didn't prohibit cameras at the venue and it's a well known band, but not in the US, mostly UK and Europe

[SuSuSushi]

Originally Posted by Raven1976

Well they didn't prohibit cameras at the venue and it's a well known band, but not in the US, mostly UK and Europe

Very likely any images of the band would need to have a signed release by that band in order to be "yours".