583: Steve Tepp – Copyright Essentials for Photographers

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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Steve Tepp of www.rightsclick.com is a seasoned copyright expert and co-founder of RightsClick® — a company on the front lines, protecting the rights of photographers and other creators where they say you can turn copyright infringement Into income.

He has an extensive background in IP law and started his career as an attorney for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, then worked at the U.S. Copyright Office, where he handled major international cases, including one against China.

He also led intellectual property efforts at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before starting his own consultancy, Sentinel Worldwide.

In addition to working in the field, he teaches copyright law at George Washington University and continues to be a key voice in the fight for creative rights.

In this interview, Steve shares everything a photographer needs to know about copyright and protecting your images.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Copyright Registration: Emphasises the need for US photographers to register their work for legal protection, as foreign authors are exempt.
• Legal Protection for Photographers: Highlights the importance of copyright registration to access statutory damages and attorneys' fees.
• Copyright Applicability: Copyright applies to anyone creating tangible works, including photographers, designers, and sculptors.
• Retaining Copyright Ownership: Advises photographers to use written agreements to retain copyright and clarify terms with clients.
• Licensing vs Selling Copyright: Differentiates between licensing for non-exclusive use while retaining ownership, and stresses the use of metadata to track images.
• Fair Use Challenges in the US: Describes the unpredictability of fair use in US courts and reinforces the value of copyright registration for stronger legal standing.
• US Copyright Registration Process: Outlines the steps involved in registering images with the US Copyright Office to strengthen ownership claims.
• Infringement and Cease and Desist Letters: Encourages using tools like RightsClick to assess infringements and issue cease and desist letters, bolstered by copyright registration.
• International Copyright Differences: Notes variations in international copyright laws, with Australia offering extra damages and using public pressure to resolve disputes.
• AI-Generated Image Copyright Issues: Discusses the evolving challenges of copyrighting AI-generated images, with human involvement playing a key role in claims.

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

Everyone who's trying to make a business as a photographer should be paying attention to their copyright rights. Everyone. All the way down to even just the man or woman on the street, who happens to pull out their phone and snap a photo of a newsworthy event, if they think that there's value in that photograph, then they have copyright rights at the moment they've snapped that image. – Steve Tepp

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Steve shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

In order to be eligible for statutory damages, you must have registered with the copyright office before the infringement began. Not before you discovered it, before it began. – Steve Tepp

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Steve, or a way to thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

Register now for this business and life-changing training!

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When: The live training is on September 26th 2024 @ 7:00am AEDT.
AND October 2024 @ 7:00am AEDT

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iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

Registration is per work. So, once you register a particular image, that image is registered forever or for the rest of the life of the copyright. But if you take more images, you've got to register those images. – Steve Tepp

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help both me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Everyone who's listening, who is a US based author, if you have not registered your work with the US Copyright Office, you cannot go to federal court to enforce your rights. If you file a lawsuit, it will be dismissed out of hand for failure to register. That is an absolute prerequisite for US authors in the US. – Steve Tepp

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here are the latest reviews…

★★★★★ The best $20 you'll ever spend

Via Google by Morris County, New Jersey family and pet photographer Stephanie Blum, in the USA on September 12th, 2024.

I listen to Andrew's podcast every Monday. It's become part of my Monday morning ritual.

He is one of the absolute best interviewers.

I've listened to many other photography podcasts but his provides the most value and education around.

He asks great questions and I learn something every episode.

I highly recommend paying for the premium membership. It's the best $20 you'll ever spend.

★★★★★ This photography podcast makes you a better runner!

Via Google by Leigh Woolford, who specialises in Melbourne kindergarten photography, in Australia on September 13th, 2024.

This might be a strange measurement of how much I value these podcasts… Went for a 4k run this morning, put the headphones in and ended up running 6 because I had to finish listening!

Not only can I confirm Andrew has helped me become a 1.5x better runner, these podcasts are proving invaluable in the pursuit of creating a better Photography business!

★★★★★ Directly contributed to the growth and success of my photography business.

Via Google by Ponte Vedra Beach & Jacksonville headshot photographer Chris Cottrell, in Florida, USA, on September 13th, 2024.

Photobizx has been an invaluable resource for me as a photographer. Andrew’s weekly episodes offer a wealth of actionable advice, from marketing strategies to how-to courses. His ability to break down complex topics into digestible pieces makes it easy for both new and experienced photographers to benefit.

Over the years, I’ve gained countless insights from Photobizx that have directly contributed to the growth and success of my photography business. The interviews with industry professionals provide unique perspectives and real-world examples.

I highly recommend Photobizx to anyone looking to take their photography business to the next level.

Thank you, Andrew, for your dedication to helping photographers thrive!

★★★★★ Directly contributed to the growth and success of my photography business.

Via Google by Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Hunter dog photographer Kelly Munce in Australia on September 14th, 2024.

I took the book projects course with Photo Biz Xposed, and it was packed with valuable information from both Katie and Andrew.

Andrew has been incredibly helpful even after the course, always available to answer any questions I’ve had.

Photo Biz Xposed is a fantastic resource.

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

RightsClick Website

RightsClick on Facebook

RightsClick on Instagram

Thank you!

Thank you again for tuning in, and a big thanks to Steve for sharing his valuable insights on copyright and photography. I hope that after listening, you feel more empowered and informed about protecting your work from unauthorised use and understand how to seek compensation or take action if your photography is used without permission.

The copyright law in most countries has been written in a way to give the copyright owner as strong a hand as possible, especially against willful infringement. – Steve Tepp

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

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