The Law, In Plain English, For Photographers

by Leonard D. DuBoff

The photographer's definitive business and legal resource is now completely updated and expanded. In this valuable guide, arts attorney Leonard DuBoff takes you step by step though all the legal aspects of the photography business. Here is expert advice for everything from contracts to trademarks, including government licenses, taxes, censorship, the rights of privacy and publicity, leases and insurance, estate planning, and more. This latest, up-to-the minute edition pays special attention to the legal challenges that have been brought about by digital cameras and the Internet. With the important legal advice found in this guide, you'll save thousands of dollars in attorney fees–and find expert legal assistance when you need it the most. " . . . a complete discussion of the legal and business issues of everyday concern to photographers."-- PhotoSource International.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Law

227 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

Reviews

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

As any professional photographer knows, it is a very murky world on there as to what we can and cannot photograph, when and how, and who gets access to our work or not. Most photographers do not have an in-house lawyer and so need to be armed with a foundation of legal knowledge in case they are in need of a lawyer (or to hopefully prevent the need for one!). As with any legal books, this is not intended to replace a lawyer but will help you with what you will need to hire and discuss a situation should you need one.

The book is a manageable 250 page, with clean text and clear speak dialogue. It is broken down into clear sections such as: photographing private property, taxes to be aware of, the rights of privacy and publicity, censorship and obscenity, government licenses, photographing in public places, and more.

In many places, the author discuses laws and turns their vague statements into meaningful and specific examples to help make sense of the law and its original intent. In other areas, the author will define terms and give a broader understanding of photography's key areas such as copyrighting art and understanding how to avoid getting sued for e.g., libel or portrayal of another in a false light.

Most useful to many will be sections on commercial appropriation of another's name or likeness, censorship issues, public building copyrights, etc. There are also several chapters on the business itself - organizing, taxes to be aware of, tax deductions, leases, insurance, contracts, stock photography, finding a lawyer, and even wills and ensuring that a photographer's work will be the property of heirs.

In all, a solid book and well worth the read. Because the English is straightforward and because not all chapters apply to all photographers (e.g., a work for hire/contract photographer vs. a freelancer), the whole book does not need to be read. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit less clear on copyright than I would have wished, and the second half was unfocused. [Edit: no pun intended.] But overall an adequate resource.