Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I didn't know this was illegal, and made some copies of the proofs to give as xmas gifts. I went to pick them up at Walmart (I had uploaded them on the computer) and they wouldn't let me have them, saying it is illegal to copy professional pictures (they don't SAY anywhere they are professional, they just felt the poses looked professional). Anyway, they wouldn't give them to me--anyone ever had that happen?

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

Really?? This happened?

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

No, but I haven't tried yet. I noticed CVS has a copywright warning on their scanner/printer thing.
The thing is, if you have the photographers persmossion, you can do it. SO , they usually don't give you the negatives or digital files if they don't wnat t you to reproduce them.

Silverfox told me I could get them printed anywhere, but I don't have written permission.
I was wondering if I should ask them for a letter.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

i haven't had this happen - but it is illegal - and if they help you it is illegal for them

It is one thing if you have the negatives - then you have the right to copy usually

If you bought the rights to your pictures (the right to copy) -i would get a letter from your photographer that he took the pictures and you have the right to copy them

otherwise if you really want copies - scan them and print from ophoto or shutterfly- online seems to be a lot more laid back about this stuff especially when there is no mention of the photographer's ownership on the pics

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I was thinking of trying Snapfish or something--we wanted to give them as xmas presents.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

We scanned some proofs to see how they would come out on Snapfish, b/c it is so expensive to order reprints from the photographer. Ours did not come out great - the color was off, and they actually cut off the top of some, but that was b/c our proof size was not 4x6..

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

They took them, but they won't give them back??? They shouldn't have taken them in the first place if they knew it was illegal!!
I'd demand they give them back to me.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

wow, I am shocked by this

I scanned a bunch of my proofs and uploaded them to Shutterfly, and made some quick copies for my grandma in Florida and a couple for myself. I didn't go crazy with it b/c my scanner is pretty crappy and the color is off , so the pics didn't come out too well (not shutterfly's fault, it was the quality of the pic from my poor scanner)

Shutterfly printed them up without a problem - and to me its quite obvious they are professional, somewhat posed shots

Interesting to learn the legal issues involved, however.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

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Posted by MrsERod

They took them, but they won't give them back??? They shouldn't have taken them in the first place if they knew it was illegal!!
I'd demand they give them back to me.

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Well, I uploaded them online, so no one 'approved' them until they printed them in the store. They actually looked great--I was impressed by the quality because my scanner is not great. They said when they print them at the branch store, they make sure they are not professional shots or pornographic or anything before they release them to you. The whole thing was weird, and I asked them what if I just had talented family members who had good quality amateur shots? It's not like they can PROVE they are professional, I think they were just trying to cover their arses..

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

Shutterfly does have some disclaimer about copyrighted photos ...

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

Any photo a photographer takes (and that includes non professional photos) is copyrighted the moment its taken. The copyright is owned by the photographer regardless of whether you have the negatives or not. Without written permission to copy, its a violation of copyright for a lab to reproduce them for profit without explicit permission. In short, a photographer can sue the lab for violating copyright law.

I dont know what right the lab has to hold them...its probably more of a professional courtesy thing. You could probably get them back with a little bit of complaining. Without the lab knowing who took the photos, I dont see what they plan on doing with them.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I believe if you have the negatives they can turn the negatives into a digital photo but you would have to go to a photo shop. The picture comes out clearer that way.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

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Posted by Sonicstef

Any photo a photographer takes (and that includes non professional photos) is copyrighted the moment its taken. The copyright is owned by the photographer regardless of whether you have the negatives or not. Without written permission to copy, its a violation of copyright for a lab to reproduce them for profit without explicit permission. In short, a photographer can sue the lab for violating copyright law.

I dont know what right the lab has to hold them...its probably more of a professional courtesy thing. You could probably get them back with a little bit of complaining. Without the lab knowing who took the photos, I dont see what they plan on doing with them.

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Thanks for the clarification...good info to know...
I do agree about getting them back.....be a little persistent...it might pay off.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

It's just such a pain, the manager came over and I kind of just said you can't PROVE it is professional, but it sounded like they just keep any they are in doubt about. I won't get the negatives or CD with the proofs for a long time, until after I get my album I think. I wanted to get them done for Christmas. I can usually be pretty persuasive but the manager was a bizotch.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

On our contract it said we get rights to all photos and negatives- so I brought that with me to Walgreens when I used the picturemaker machine.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I HAD NO IDEA

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

Check your contract. If you get all proofs and negatives, and it's specified in the contract, then I believe that is enough to prove that you have the rights to the photos.

You could also have your photographer write you a note on letterhead if that doesn't work.

Stupid Walmart.

My friends and I call it Voldemart (that's a Harry Potter reference). And yes, the company IS that evil.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I've used Shutterfly to order prints and blow-ups and the quality was pretty good. I'm in the process of scanning our proofs for the same reason as you, but I'm using Shutterfly again.

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

I recently found that out too. I did not realize that. So if you want to do that, you just have to ask the photographer to write a statement that gives you rights to make copies?

Re: Did anyone scan professional pictures and get copies done?

it is illegal...I used the Kodak picture maker and made sure to look like I knew what I was doing