In the light of recent events we thought we would write a blog explaining what the image copyright laws are in the UK.

As a photographer or someone who uses images, it is important to understand the image copyright laws in the UK to avoid any legal issues. In the UK, the copyright of an image is automatically owned by the person who created it, whether it is a photograph, a painting, or any other type of image.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is the primary legislation that governs copyright law in the UK. Under this act, the creator of an image has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the image. This means that if someone else wants to use the image, they must obtain permission from the creator or obtain a license to use the image.

The duration of copyright protection for images in the UK is typically 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the creator died. If the image was created as part of employment, the copyright may belong to the employer, rather than the creator.

In the UK, if a photographer takes photographs for a client as part of a commissioned work, the copyright ownership of the photographs can be determined by the terms of the agreement between the photographer and the client.

Typically, the photographer and the client will sign a contract that specifies the copyright ownership of the photographs. The contract may state that the copyright ownership belongs to the photographer, or it may state that the copyright ownership belongs to the client.

If the contract does not specify the copyright ownership, the default rule is that the photographer retains the copyright ownership of the photographs. However, the client may be granted a license to use the photographs for the purpose for which they were commissioned.

It is important for photographers and clients to clearly define the copyright ownership of the photographs in their agreement to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes in the future.

In the absence of a signed contract between a photographer and a model, the photographer may still own the copyright to the photographs they have taken of the model. This is because, in the UK, copyright law provides that the creator of a work owns the copyright to that work by default.

If the photographer and model have not agreed to any terms regarding the copyright ownership of the photographs, then the default rule under UK copyright law is that the photographer will own the copyright to the photographs. However, the model may still have certain rights in relation to the use of their likeness or image.

For example, if the photographs were taken in a private setting, such as a model's home, and the model had a reasonable expectation of privacy, then the photographer may not have the right to use or publish the photographs without the model's consent. Similarly, if the photographs were taken for a specific purpose, such as a commercial advertising campaign, the model may have a right to control the use of their image in relation to that specific purpose.

It is always best practice for photographers and models to agree on the terms of their collaboration in writing, including the copyright ownership of the photographs. This can help to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes in the future.

In the case of photographs, the copyright ownership can be determined by the terms of the agreement between the photographer and the client. If the photograph was taken as part of a commissioned work, the copyright ownership can belong to either the photographer or the client, depending on the terms of the agreement.

To protect your images, it is important to use watermarks or copyright notices on your images to show that they are your property. If someone uses your images without your permission, you may be able to take legal action against them for copyright infringement.

In summary, understanding the image copyright laws in the UK is important for photographers and anyone else who uses images. Always make sure to obtain permission or a license before using someone else's images, and make sure to clearly define the copyright ownership of your own images in any agreements.