UK Photo Law

[JaspaC]

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum so hi.

I just have a quick question here that I need help with.

I'm designing a huge PVC advertising banner to be displayed at the side of a road to advertise a fun fair. I would like to know what photos I can legally use.

For example if I take a photo of a fun fair ride myself and use that, will I need some kind of permission from the owner of the fun fair ride? Or not given that they had it on public display in the first place. I'm using this sign to make money so will that affect it?

As for pics already on the net I presume I just have to ask them and get an e-mail or something in order to be able to use those.

Any help appreciated,

Cheers,

Jamie

 

[dinorock]

first question . you can take photos of a funfair as they are generally on public property, park etc,so no problems there.

second question taking pictures off the net, is not quite that simple if you want the full size image, then the original photographer may require payment for it, you cant just take it . hth mike


welcome to the forum jamie

 

[Flash In The Pan]

first question . you can take photos of a funfair as they are generally on public property, park etc,so no problems there.

second question taking pictures off the net, is not quite that simple if you want the full size image, then the original photographer may require payment for it, you cant just take it . hth mike


welcome to the forum jamie

from me too

You may actually find that despite being on what is normally public land it is actually classed as private when the fair is on it, with specific rules regarding photography. This is certainly what happens in Glasgow, but it may be different in other towns and cities.

 

[hepburn]

from me too

You may actually find that despite being on what is normally public land it is actually classed as private when the fair is on it, with specific rules regarding photography. This is certainly what happens in Glasgow, but it may be different in other towns and cities.

Yes, that certainly happens in parts of england. Essentially the council hire out the public space and the hirer then has "private" use of said space for the hire period. In that time they can fence it off, block it off, pretty much do whatever they like within the confines of planning regs and the terms of the hire. The only thing which may affect them is public rights of way, which can probably be suspended temporarily anyway.

 

[JaspaC]

ok, thanks for your help, couple of extra questions:

If I accidentally get any people in any of my photos, would I be allowed to put them on my banner? Or would I need their permission. Does it work on the basis that I can publish the photos until they ask me to remove them or do I need their permission from the start? Likewise could I get away with just bluring their faces?

Also,

For example,

If I took a photo of a bus, going down a public road with no people on it and I then used it on a massive advertising banner to advertise a rival bus company, with me making a profit from the rival bus company for supplying the sign, would the original bus company be able to make me remove it?


Cheers,

Jamie

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

This is a very fast and loose guide so don't take it as gospel.

A photo of someone is highly variable. If they are not identifiable then its fine, if they are identifiable then it depends in what context you are using the photo; you can't say a random person drinking coke in an advert saying that Joe Bloggs prefers Coke over Pepsi

For the buses; the original company would be able to get the add banned if it showed their name or any obviously identifying marks (assuming said company have got a copyright on there name)

 

[JaspaC]

So if I were to phone the owners of these rides and say can I use a pic of your ride for an advertising banner and they said yes, that would be fine? Would I need it in writing, and would this be valid forever or would the owner be able to withdraw permission at any time. It's just I don't want to pay £300 for a banner and then have to waste it becuase someone objects to their photo being used.

Cheers,

Jamie

 

[fletch5]

since your advertising a funfair, would it not be best to go take pictures of that funfair to use on the banner???

that way you will be showing what is there, and you shouldnt have a problem with any copyrights as it is for them:shrug:

 

[mastertrinity]

ok, thanks for your help, couple of extra questions:

If I accidentally get any people in any of my photos, would I be allowed to put them on my banner? Or would I need their permission. Does it work on the basis that I can publish the photos until they ask me to remove them or do I need their permission from the start? Likewise could I get away with just bluring their faces?

Also,

For example,

If I took a photo of a bus, going down a public road with no people on it and I then used it on a massive advertising banner to advertise a rival bus company, with me making a profit from the rival bus company for supplying the sign, would the original bus company be able to make me remove it?

yes you could but it has to be factual if it was to imply that the bus company werent getting any customers but in fact they were getting more than the firm your working for then they would class it as innapropriate and get you to remove it

Cheers,

Jamie

 

[JaspaC]

since your advertising a funfair, would it not be best to go take pictures of that funfair to use on the banner???

that way you will be showing what is there, and you shouldnt have a problem with any copyrights as it is for them:shrug:

I would but I will be touring the UK renting out the sign to various different fun fairs.

 

[DavePaliwoda]

I would but I will be touring the UK renting out the sign to various different fun fairs.

In that case your best bet may be to use a microstock site like www.istockphoto.com


Cheap and you can be assured your rights of use are sorted