Our Book! «

Our Book!

Our new book, The Copyright Zone is now out! Check out our reviews on Amazon here.

One of our favorites is from Matt with the title:

“The Ultimate Knowledge Base for Saving Your Ass in Photography”

Matt says, and we quote:

Jack and Ed are like having Walter White and Saul Goodman showing you how to come out on top when the big corporate media cartels try to take what’s yours and bury you.

Another reviewer, Tommy said:

Never in a million years did I expect to laugh (out loud!) reading a book about copyright.

This is our second edition of our sold out Photographer’s Survival Manual, and it’s twice the size, now 352 pages, with four new chapters. If you liked our movie, you’ll love the book.

44 Comments

#1 by James Lynch on January 15, 2010 - 12:45 pm

My 15 year old son and I thoroughly enjoyed Jack’s lecture last night at the CDIA at BU. We were both inspired to do better work. I am looking forward to buying a copy of this book. Thanks.
#2 by Daemon King on January 19, 2010 - 4:09 pm

I would like to ask if I may get permission to use the jpeg image from your website at https://thecopyrightzone.com for my article on the Examiner.com. Below is the text that will be in my article.

The Copyright Zone

A new blog by commercial photographer, Jack Reznicki and copyright lawyer, Edward Greenberg began December 19, 2009. They created the blog to reflect their article in Photoshop User Magazine also called the Copyright Zone. Pegged as a survival guide for photographers, musicians, artists and the confused, the first articles feature commentary on the changes that new technology have made to photojournalism and live music.

Look for their book coming out in June 2010 titled Photographer’s Survival Guide.
#3 by admin on January 21, 2010 - 10:28 am

Sure, go for it.
#4 by Phil on May 4, 2010 - 11:04 pm

Is there going to be an e-book version?
#5 by admin on May 5, 2010 - 1:44 am

Not that we know of at this point, but not 100% sure.
We’ll ask our publisher and get back to you if there is one.
#6 by Michael Corbin on August 28, 2011 - 5:03 pm

Since you both will be at PS World, I trust you’ll have copies of this book available for purchase? Either way, I will see you there!
#7 by Jack and Ed on August 28, 2011 - 8:49 pm

Yes, we will have some books with us.
#8 by Edward C. Greenberg on September 13, 2011 - 8:21 pm

We are pleased to report that we sold several cases – our entire stock – of books at PhotoShop World. For the immediate future we will be unable to ship any books. Amazon and Barnes & Noble have it in stock at this time.

Ed & Jack
#9 by Osceola Refetoff on November 4, 2011 - 5:48 pm

Great book. Thanks for all the useful info. Highly recommended.

I would like to reproduce the Terms & Conditions fine print from your sample contract for the reverse side of my licensing contract. Would it be OK to adapt the basic text, and do you have any plans to make the text in the book available as a text file. Thank you!
#10 by Bryan Sampsel on December 29, 2011 - 1:25 pm

I tore through the book. It was much better written and more practical than anything else I’ve ever seen…and has me re-thinking some things I’d misunderstood.

I, too, was wondering if you were planning on making available the template files of the T&C, releases, etc. It would save me from messing up when I hand-jam the very legalese you advise.

Thank you for writing this book. Well worth the money to buy and time to read.

If you do an e-book format, I’d recommend either e-pub, an industry standard format, or the PDF format through an outfit like rpg.drivethrustuff.com.
#11 by Teresa Westman on January 11, 2012 - 1:37 pm

Hi Ed and Jack –

I, too, am wondering if there is an electronic file that I can download with all of your legal document examples. I just got your book, which is just what I need – I’m just getting started and want to do it right from the beginning. I was thinking of scanning the pages in the book, but, as the previous poster mentioned, I can see that this might produce more error than electronically downloading.

Thanks – you guys have already been a great help!
#12 by terrellcwoods on July 20, 2012 - 1:39 am

I tried to email you at [email protected] but it was kicked back
I would like to purchase your book for a young photographer in another
state. Is it possible that you also sign it to her? I told her parents
about how this book would go a long way in helping them all to better
understand copyright, registration etc.

Thank you

terrellcwoods
#13 by Jack and Ed on August 1, 2012 - 8:20 pm

Hey Terrell,
If you still want a book, you can send me an email directly at [email protected]
Ed and I have to sell our books at retail, $24.95 plus $5 cost to send it priority mail. We both sign it for .05 cents which brings it up to $30 even.
If you want to save a few bucks, Amazon sells it for about $14.
#14 by Bret Farris on November 24, 2012 - 12:15 am

Hi Guys! Love the book. I’m getting ready to do my first upload of images to the Copyright Office but, I have a question. Over the last year I have shared some of my travel images on Facebook, Google+, Pixoto; in other words I’ve “published” them. However, I did not register them yet. In the book you talk about the fact that you have to registered published works separately. Since most of what I’ve published is outside of the 90 day grace period, do I still need to register them as published? Or is it OK if I just include them in with all the others I’m going to register at the same time.

None of them have been infringed upon, and probably won’t be since they are not very good (I just got my first DSLR a year ago). I’m most concerned about making sure I get all future photos registered but, want to make sure I don’t break any laws or something by registering already published works in with the unpublished ones. I realize that it would make the registration effective on the same day but, since I’ve already missed the deadline… What do you think?

Thanks again for a great read and Awesome Advice in the book!
#15 by Jack and Ed on November 24, 2012 - 10:24 am

Bret, You can not register published and unpublished images. There is no exception. Mixing teh two in a registration can cause the registration to be voided by a judge. The question though is how you showed them online. Was it to a fixed group or was it open to anyone? If a fixed group, that may be considered not published. Your best bet, so there is no question, is to do two registrations, one of unpublished images and one of published work. In the future, if you register before publishing as unpublished, you will be fully protected when they are published.
#16 by Bret Farris on November 24, 2012 - 1:52 pm

Thanks! It adds a little extra work but, I guess that’s the price of not knowing it all before you do it. 🙂 I remember you mentioned on TWIP that you can now register multiple published images together now in a beta program. Is that open to everyone? Or just a select few?
#17 by David G. Yocum on January 23, 2013 - 12:15 am

Do you know what the final disposition of Daniel Schrock v. Learning Curve International, Inc. 7th Cir. 08-1296 was? I saw that it was reversed but I couldn’t find anything else about it.

I shoot artwork for painters and sculptures and would like to know where the law stands on the photo’s I take.
#18 by Chris S on January 29, 2013 - 10:23 am

I have the printed version – but I am looking for a digital version that I can put on my iPad. I reference the book all the time in my workshops – but it would be much better (for me and you) if I had a copy on my iPad that I could put in the hands of participants.

Please send me a link where I can purchase it…
#19 by Jack and Ed on January 29, 2013 - 10:31 am

No digital version at this point. Ed and I are talking about doing one so we can add and update the book. It wouldn’t be very soon, but stay tuned.
#20 by Carol Klein on May 6, 2013 - 2:14 pm

In your book, you describe how to create a Photoshop action to prepare images to upload. I will be using Lightroom to do this. Do you have any recommendations for the image quality and the limit file size settings? Thanks
#21 by Jack and Ed on May 6, 2013 - 8:05 pm

Hi Carol,
Easy enough. JPEG compression of 50, 72 PPI, 600 to 700 pixels on the longest side. Set it up as an export preset and you’re good to go.
#22 by Jackie B on June 1, 2013 - 5:36 pm

Time to go all e-book on us!
#23 by Jack and Ed on June 1, 2013 - 6:13 pm

Actually, we’re talking to a new publisher this coming week.
#24 by Stephen King on June 8, 2013 - 9:33 am

Am I right in assuming this book just covers US law and not UK law?
#25 by Jack and Ed on June 8, 2013 - 11:12 am

That’s correct. A lot of the principles and concepts might overlap, but UK laws are a different animal, so to speak. Always best to get information from a UK IP lawyer. With that said, if your work appears in the US or you are dealing with a US company, you can still register your work here even if not a US citizen or resident.
#26 by Stephen King on June 8, 2013 - 11:14 am

Thanks. I may be dealing with a couple of US companies so it will be handy to know whats what
#27 by Mark on July 28, 2013 - 8:54 am

I just came to check about an ebook and it seems like that will be the only way to get it from now on so I hope you have a release soon.
Also what happens if you use a pen name for all your art dealings etc.. Can you use it for all your copyright forms etc..?.(I would like to keep photography and my normal life separate due to stalker problems)
I was just going through twip episodes I had missed and came here for the book.
#28 by Jim Williamson on December 11, 2013 - 12:29 pm

Correction to the previous post…

What do you recommend to Photo-bloggers who want to post fresh content? I can’t imagine that the bloggers I follow register new stuff on a daily basis. (Personally, I submit my stuff every couple of months and don’t post anything until I have registered it, but that prevents me from posting new
#29 by Jack and Ed on December 12, 2013 - 12:14 pm

Hey Jim, If you’re posting on a blog, you’re publishing the images and need to register as published. But published (not unpublished) gives you a 3 month grace period. So if you register everything you upload within 3 months, you’re still covered. So if you register all your images published from say January 1st to say March 25th and then register before March 30th, you’d be covered.
Now, if you do have a group of published images, you may have to apply at the Copyright Office permission for their pilot program for group registration of published work. You’d have to contact them at 202 707-8202. They are a little picky that the folder name and file names are descriptive and fit their style of naming. Folders need to start with “Group Registration Photos” then the specific dates, like “published Jan. 1 to Mar 25” and then the number of photos submitted.
Call them and they can help you.
Hope that helps.
Jack
#30 by David G. Yocum on December 12, 2013 - 5:39 pm

Hello, I shot a sculpture that is sitting on a roof the the artist’s gallery. The sculpture is of an Indian with his arms raised high and I caught the morning sun between his hands.

I made some limited edition prints and gave one to the artist as a courtesy and later he demanded payment for use of his sculpture without his permission. It’s my understanding that since it’s attached to the building, making it part of the architecture and is in the public purview, that it’s fair game and I didn’t need to seek permission.

Is this correct?

Thank You,
David
#31 by Jim Williamson on December 12, 2013 - 6:17 pm

Thanks! That’s great info.

Jim
#32 by Jack and Ed on December 24, 2013 - 2:14 pm

The sculpture is very likely copyrightable and may in fact be registered. You should make no assumption that it is “fair game” merely because it is affixed to a building and/or is in public view. Such positioning is irrelevant to the the rights the artist has in the work. It appears that some non-lawyer gave you legal advice based on a tortured interpretation of landlord tenant law which speaks to things like cabinets bolted to kitchen walls. Your photographing the statute may constitute copyright infringement. We would suggest that you reach a written agreement with the sculptor ASAP.

Here is yet another example of taking horrible legal advice from persons who have no legal training whatsoever. Would you take medical advice from someone who never attended medical school? Think about it – most sculptures, artworks, photographs, articles, illustrations etc. which are eligible for copyright protection are almost always in public view! Did you ask or check to see whether the sculptor registered the work?

Again, the fact that the work may or may not be “attached” to a building is not at all legally significant.

Ed
#33 by David G. Yocum on December 25, 2013 - 11:14 am

Thank You Ed. I can’t place blame on anyone but myself in this matter (as I’m sure you suspected lol). It was my understanding based on my own research.

I did have the image copyrighted citing the composition and omitting the sculpture since I didn’t create it. I did explain myself to him and asked his forgiveness for not seeking his consent and for my assumptions.

My intentions were not to claim his work as my own but to create something new from a vision I had. I haven’t heard from him since, maybe it’s time I spoke with him in person about it so I can mend any discord between us.

Again, Thank You Ed,
David

p.s. If you’re interested, here is a link to the image.

http://www.yarcadian.com/Raising%20The%20Sun%20a.jpg
#34 by Buck Cash on May 29, 2014 - 12:23 pm

I have your book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was entertaining, yet FULL of REALLY helpful information. I hope to see an e version one day that I can put on my tablet.

I’ve also caught a couple of your lectures on the internet, and they were fabulous also! You guys seriously rock!

From your book and your video lectures, I’ve come away with the basic understanding that “copyright” is composed of two words: “copy” and “right”, and that it translates easily to the “right” to make a “copy”. Anyone who doesn’t have the copyright doesn’t have the right to make a copy. Pretty simple.

So, while having discussions on a photography forum I frequented, one of the other members remarked that he regularly copies photos we’ve posted to his computer, then prints them out and puts them in a book that he can show potential clients, so that they can pick from various styles and so on, that he will then try to replicate. And he also likes to keep it around as a sort of coffee table book.

That sounded like blatant copyright infringement to me, and so I complained to the moderation team at the site, who have very strict rules about posting others’ photos on the forum without permission. They’re also very quick to come down on anyone who advocates grabbing illegal software such as Photoshop.

I fully agree with them on those things, so I thought it would be a slam-dunk that they’d agree that the other member was infringing on our copyrights. Instead, I got a response that disagreed that there was any problem at all. This sentence in particular stood out:

“Printing out pictures from the web and putting them in what appears to be a personal-use album for display is NOT clearly breaking the law, and in fact as far as any of us can tell is completely legal.”

Are they right? Is that really not a copyright infringement?
#35 by Bearman on May 15, 2015 - 11:26 am

Just posted about the book to my readers http://beartoons.com/2015/05/15/the-copyright-zone/
#36 by Jack and Ed on May 21, 2015 - 9:36 pm

Thanks Bearman! We really appreciate the write up and plug.
#37 by steveo on July 22, 2015 - 4:20 pm

Hello,

I bought the updated book on Amazon. Excellent information.

I’ve also watched your videos on Kelby One, also very excellent.

You inspired me to register my work at the copyright office. Hooray 🙂

I don’t use the “intergalactic” model release for TFP, but use the limited model release which is usually a “fair trade”.

However I noticed that:

1) The simplified adult release specifically mentions copyrighting photos in photographers name, where the limited model release does not. My understanding is that the limited should also allow copyrighting even though not specifically mentioned. Is that a correct understanding?

2) The simplified adult release mentions any medium (print/dvd) where the limited model release does not. Are selling DVDs or prints precluded on the limited model release because of the sole purpose clause?

Awesome material, always enjoy your presentations.

Best wishes for continued success.
#38 by Jack and Ed on July 22, 2015 - 4:39 pm

Hey Jeff,

Ed drew up the releases. I’ll see if I can get more clarification. My response-
As far as 1) you don’t need a model’s OK to copyright a photo. My guess before I get Ed’s answer is that it’s just a more streamlined language as the “limited’ release, as not to scare away your model. Not having that mentioned does not affect anything.
As far as 2) you can add any wording regarding any media. If you want a limited release (and it’s like it says, a more limited use) you can write in any use you know you’re going to have, like DVDs or prints, if you want. You can list that your use will include Frisbees and the sides of buses in Miami, if that’s the case. Or whatever you think is appropriate and the model will sign. The idea with the limited release is that it’s more narrow than the “intergalatic” one that some models will not sign. You can still be broad within a use group.
#39 by Jack and Ed on July 22, 2015 - 11:11 pm

Ed said I was right in my responses. I’m trying to see if I can get that email bronzed. Being married to my first wife for 35 years now, I rarely get to hear those words, so if anyone says it, I’m hanging on.
#40 by steveo on July 22, 2015 - 11:58 pm

Thank you both very much 🙂
#41 by Vivian on August 21, 2015 - 2:23 pm

How I wish I had known about copyright REGISTRATION before I ever posted a single image online or launched my website. It was after I lost control of one of my images to theft – I mean, infringement – that I learned the hard way. But, I then I had to find resources to help me understand how to go about the process because I was completely clueless – I even thought you had to pay per image!

Enter Jack Reznicki and Ed Greenberg, whom I learned about via Kelby, and I read the first edition of “The Copyright Zone” borrowed from the public library. Lots of “AHA!” moments, that’s for sure. I am now the proud owner of the latest version, which is terrific with all of the updates that make it even more relevant for what we’re experiencing today. Thank you for teaching the value and the process of copyright registration so clearly and with such wonderful humor. If more of us protected our work, we might have more leverage in what is quickly becoming a rights-grab free-for-all in an entitled society.
#42 by Jack and Ed on August 24, 2015 - 10:51 pm

Glad to hear it helped you, Vivian. We all have to learn from experience. As one of the quotes we use in our lectures says- “You get a good education by being a victim”. The trick is not to have it happen twice.
#43 by Alan on September 1, 2015 - 3:53 pm

Great book!

With the eco currently offline since Friday, any recommendations for group registrations of unpublished images? Is paper registration at $30 more per reg the only option?
#44 by Jack and Ed on September 1, 2015 - 5:57 pm

Didn’t know it was down till you mentioned it. Looks like the LOC was planning a shutdown for maintenance and was suppose to be up yesterday. Guess they ran into a glitch (or it was a SNAFU). Either way, I’d give it time, unless you’re pressed for time to have the work registered right away. I’d wait as long as I could, but if I had to eat the $85, I’d guess I’d do it (and skip a lunch or two if I had to). Sigh.