Have you ever been out taking photos in the street or other public space and been approached by 'Security'? Ever wondered what your legal rights as a photographer are? I've compiled a list of useful resources to assist you and I'll add new resources as I come across them. If you're aware of any others please let me know so I can add them here and make this resource as comprehensive as possible.
"Photography Australia – Know Your Rights"
4020 φ NSW Photographer's Rights
Focussed on New South Wales but contains a LOT of valuable information, references, examples and real cases. It is lengthy and thorough and give Australia-wide examples and references where available. A most valuable resource and a must read for anyone interested in their legal rights as a photographer.
Arts Law Centre of Australia
The Arts Law Centre of Australia is the national community legal centre for the arts in Australia … this link points to the Street Photographers rights page.
Caslon – unauthorised photography
Australian debate about unauthorised taking and publishing of photographs.
Copyright in Australia
Australian Copyright Council [http://www.copyright.org.au/]
Photography is not a crime [Sydney Morning Herald Blog]
Photography is not a crime [Sydney Morning Herald Blog] – an interesting experience by a Sydney Morning Herald journalist.
International Bit & Pieces
Photographers' Rights [UK]
Downloadable booklet [now in Version 2!]
Luminous Landscape [Erosion of photographers' rights – USA]
Mostly American but contains comment from Nick Rains from an Australian perspective
Nature Photographers [Erosion of photographers' rights – USA]
I know of a webdesign business based in Australia who are using photographs without authorization on their clients website with out their knowledge. Who can I contact to prevent them from doing this to other photographers? Or dob them for doing so and bleaching copyright laws and the trust of their clients?
Hi Hayley, welcome to Pictures with Words. In the first instance I would contact the photographer whose images are being used without their consent and encourage them to pursue the matter with the offending business. If the photographer cannot be commented, encourage the clients to ask if the images being used on their website have been sourced appropriately. The Australian Copyright Council has a great Find an Answer section on their website with fact sheets dealing with many aspects of copyright and infringements … I’d have a look there too.
Hope this helps 🙂
ps … I checked out you site/blog … very impressive stuff 🙂