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Lopez Sued for Copyright Violation

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Photographer Sues Jennifer Lopez For Copyright Infringement Jennifer Lopez is the latest person to join a growing list of celebrities who find themselves defendants in lawsuits filed by photographers. According to an article on diyphotography.net, Michael Stewart is suing Lopez and her production company for copyright infringement. The Facts of The Case Dunja Djudjic reported on diyphotography.net that Stewart is a photographer. As part of his work, he took a photograph of Lopez out walking in New York City. Stewart alleges that he licensed the use of that photo to the Daily Mail which, along with an article, published it...

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Photographers Have The Right to Control The Use Of Their Work

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If you earn your living as a photographer, it is essential that you be familiar with the laws that govern the rights to your work. Federal copyright law and intellectual property law (IP law) have a profound effect on individuals who create images and content for a living. Your copyright exists the moment you take a picture. You may file a federal copyright registration, which is helpful should you wind up in litigation. However, your property rights in the photograph exist regardless. The rights to use that image belong to you. Others may not publish your work without your permission....

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The New York Times Seeks To Take Total Control Over Photographs

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A PDN pulse report claims that photographers have organized a protest against the revised contract that the New York Times (NYT) is demanding they sign. As of June 13, 2018, 137 photographers signed a petition and presented it to the Times urging them to reconsider the terms of the contract. The NYT as of the end of June had not responded. At this time, it remains unclear how the issues between contributors and the newspaper will be resolved. The situation, however, is a good reminder that photographers are engaged in a constant battle to protect their rights to their images....

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Esquire.com Copyright Violation Over Donald Trump Wedding Crasher Photo

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Donald Trump, Wedding Crasher, Ends Up Being Bad Copyright News for Esquire.com As was reported by Hollywood Reporter, a photograph of President Donald Trump crashing a wedding hosted at his golf course went viral. Several media outlets used this image, which was subject to copyright protection in favor of the photographer. The photographer sued, and the court held "Stealing a copyrighted photograph to illustrate a news article, without adding new understanding or meaning to the work, does not transform its purpose -- regardless of whether that photograph was created for commercial or personal use." The court disagreed with their defense...

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Copyright in the Digital Age

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The digital age has ushered in an explosion in creative collaboration, not the least of which is made possible by various social media platforms. For creators and consumers alike, the ability to share, engage and experiment with this elastic, new medium has created as many opportunities as challenges. Among the challenges facing the professional creative community is the notion that all rights are suspended once social media cannibalizes content. It is a widely held, if mistaken, belief that copyright law does not reach popular platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and the like. The misconception stems from the belief that...

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Media Company Steals Influencer Photos for Affiliate Marketing

PopSugar is alleged to have infringed on millions of copyrights, after using popular bloggers's photos to promote online products and services, without permission. By Lizzie Plaugic.  The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/19/17252196/popsugar-instagram-stolen-affiliate-links-photos-rewardstyle-shopstyle-response...

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Australian Photographer Seeks Compensation for Copyright Infringement

Brad Hunter, photographer for former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, claims that The Daily Telegraph stole Hunter's image from his Facebook page and cropped him out, for coverage of a news story. By Anna Henderson.  The Australian Broadcasting Corporation. www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-11/political-staffer-seeks-compensation-over-joyce-image/9420624...

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