Publishing photos without releases
I took pictures of some people who have recently been involved in notorious activity and one of whom is dead. I got permission to take photos, but i never got the releases signed. What risk do I run if i hang them at a local gallery or publish them in any way?
Re: Publishing photos without releases
Much will depend on the nature of your use of the images.
Generally, "art" is protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. while more "commercial" uses are entitled to somewhat less protection.
So, If you're doing something like a gallery-exhibition, you're not likely to draw a lawsuit from these folks, especially if they're "public figures".
If, however, you publish them in a book, magazine, etc., you may be confronted with claims that you're violating their "rights of publicity".
Even more likely to draw a lawsuit would be your commercial use of the images (such as in advertising products, etc.).
Hope this helps.
Re: Publishing photos without releases
Much will depend on the nature of your use of the images.
Generally, "art" is protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. while more "commercial" uses are entitled to somewhat less protection.
So, If you're doing something like a gallery-exhibition, you're not likely to draw a lawsuit from these folks, especially if they're "public figures".
If, however, you publish them in a book, magazine, etc., you may be confronted with claims that you're violating their "rights of publicity".
Even more likely to draw a lawsuit would be your commercial use of the images (such as in advertising products, etc.).
Hope this helps.
Re: Publishing photos without releases
Much will depend on the nature of your use of the images.
Generally, "art" is protected by the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. while more "commercial" uses are entitled to somewhat less protection.
So, If you're doing something like a gallery-exhibition, you're not likely to draw a lawsuit from these folks, especially if they're "public figures".
If, however, you publish them in a book, magazine, etc., you may be confronted with claims that you're violating their "rights of publicity".
Even more likely to draw a lawsuit would be your commercial use of the images (such as in advertising products, etc.).
Hope this helps.
