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How to Get a Copyright of a Photo

The owner of a copyrighted image holds the rights to that image. They may grant limited permissions to reproduce or use the work, but the copyright holder is the final authority on how the image may be presented. When seeking to alter, reprint or reuse an image, it may be necessary to receive copyright before publishing your work. To get the copyright of a photo, you will need to begin by determining who holds the copyright on the work.

Instructions

- 1
  Determine who holds the copyright. Start by contacting the original photographer. If this is not possible, the copyright may have passed to another party, such as their heirs or estate. It is also possible that the term of copyright, usually the life of the original creator plus 70 years, may have passed and no copyright is necessary to reprint the image.
- 2
  Contact the current copyright holder. If the photographer does not hold the copyright, it may be held with an agency or organization who commissioned the work. You will need to contact the holder of the copyright in writing requesting a transfer of the copyright. Many photographers will charge large fees for the copyright, as a transfer of copyright will also transfer all rights to the image.
- 3
  Create a "Transfer of Copyright" agreement. This will specify in writing what rights are being transferred. If the copyright is not yet registered with the United States Copyright Office, register the copyright during the transfer.

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