Copyright tags on uploaded images

[AaronE]

I just noticed that the new site format automatically embeds a copyright tag on any photos when they are displayed - Copyright 2009 WashingtonLakes.com

As a photographer, I'm curious why WL.com would put such a tag on uploaded images when, in fact, the photographer holds all copyright to an image unless otherwise specified in writing BY the photographer who took the image.

As much as I love the new site, I'm not going to be able to upload any photos that I take until that copyright tag no longer shows up on my images.

Can anyone explain this to me?

[Aaron]

You are correct in that you retain the Copyright on the photos. I must have been asleep when I wrote that part of the site. What should be there is our domain in a watermarking sense so that images taken from the site will bring others back to the site. As far as our rights to the photos, Section 6 of our Terms us use explain the rest:

6.License to Use Submissions
All comments, articles, tutorials, screenshots, pictures, graphics, tools, downloads, and all other materials submitted to DA in connection with the Site or available through the Site (collectively, "Submissions") remain the property and copyright of the original author. If You submit Submissions to DA, You must adhere to any applicable submission guidelines that may be posted from time to time on the Site. By submitting any Submission to DA, You grant DA a worldwide, non-exclusive, transferable, perpetual, irrevocable, fully-paid royalty-free license and right to use, reproduce, distribute, import, broadcast, transmit, modify and create derivative works of, license, offer to sell, and sell, rent, lease or lend copies of, publicly display and publicly perform that Submission for any purpose and without restriction or obligation to You.

The foregoing license rights are intended to provide to DA all rights under existing and future laws, including without limitation all rights under copyright and any other rights personal to You to publish the Submission on the Site, use the Submission in publicity and promotional materials for the Site and to create new Sites or derivative works (including without limitation by combining the Submission with other content) for public display or performance via any and all media or technology now known or later developed. The foregoing rights may be licensed and sublicensed through unlimited tiers of third parties.


I'll get the Copyright watermark changed over to our URL sometime tonight.

[AaronE]

Cool, thanks I already had to go round and round with three other sites for this very thing since Christmas LOL

Great job on the site. Once I got over the learning curve I like it MUCH better than the old layout

[Aaron]

No problem...Aaron. I'm glad you like the new site.