Copyright.

UNDERSTANDING COPYRIGHT

Copyright laws provide for statutory penalties of thousands of Pounds per violation for theft of images.

Usually if somebody thinks you stole something, they have to prove you did. In the world of "copyright infringement", you have to prove that you DIDN'T.

For example, if someone sees one of our images used on your website/computer or a downloaded print, and we can prove that it is, indeed, our image and that we own the copyright on it. We can make a demand that you prove that you have legally acquired the right to use that image. If you can't prove it (usually in the form of a paid invoice or written permission from myself or my representatives) you're in trouble .

Also if you think that you can remove those copyright watermark logos or a digital signature's on the images, Wrong again!

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 makes it a criminal offense to remove watermarks meant to protect copyright. Many don't realize that under copyright law, it is specifically illegal to remove a watermark from a image. Not only is the act of removal prohibited, its assumed that the very attempt indicates a willful intent to violate copyright. And that's something the courts come down really hard on.

What is "Intellectual Property"?

"Intellectual property" refers to original creations in the fields of literature and the arts. Most countries in the world provide automatic copyright protection to any item of intellectual property at the instant the item is created. At the instant a photo is taken, it automatically becomes the "intellectual property" of the photographer who took it. It makes no difference what the subject is or why the photograph was taken.

What is "copyright infringement"?

Legally, the person who holds the copyright to an image has the absolute right to control how you use that photo or to deny the right to use that photo. Any unauthorized usage is an "infringement" of copyright. This includes using the picture for "reference" in a derivative work. It also includes use of images beyond that which has been legitimately purchased. For example, offering images for resale without first obtaining a license would be an infringement of copyright.

Many don't realize just how all-encompassing a copyright is. For example, there's a common misconception that any image appearing on a website may be downloaded and "saved" the computer. This is not the case. The very act of saving a copyrighted image to your computer regardless of whether you ever do anything else with the image or not constitutes a copyright infringement, minor maybe but done all the time and still an infringement nonetheless.

Why are penalties for copyright infringement so severe?

Copyright laws exist to encourage people to be creative by giving them the right to control and benefit from the products of that creativity. Because it's so easy these days for one person to "steal" the creative output of somebody else, lawmakers have recognized that for copyright laws to be effective, the penalties must be severe.

In brief, do NOT Download to your PC, Print, Copy, Sell or E-mail any of the images from Michelle Monroe.co.uk. If you do, you are breaking the law, unless you can PROVE you have either purchased or have written permission to do so.