Copyright

Copyright © 2007-2010 Simon Watterson. All Rights Reserved.

Except where attributed the content of this website is protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Do not copy, store or distribute these images or text in any format or medium without express written permission from the copyright holder.

Copyright is a simple concept but widely misunderstood. Quite simply it means that the only person who has the right to produce a copy of a work is the copyright holder or someone who has been given permission to do so. There are a few exceptions to this under the principle of fair use and you can find out more information at the UK Copyright Service.

One of the common misconceptions (10 Copyright Myths) about copyright is that is OK to take a work and adapt it, however this adaptation is still a breach of the original copyright. The original creator owns the copyright of the original and the adaptation. Being inspired by someone and then creating your own work from a blank page is acceptable, but copying from an original work is not.

Like many photographers I have had my work copied by painters. I'm sure it would come as a surprise to those painters to learn that I own the copyright to their copy of my photograph. I also have the right to any money made from such copies. The process of creating a photographic image is not simply a matter of pressing a shutter release. It takes many hours of travelling, camping, getting wet, drying out and waiting for the light before even getting the camera out of the bag. The technical skills of composition, exposure, hyperfocal distances, choice of focal length, filters etc. are the result of experience and practice. Finally, the image must be developed, either in a darkroom or using software, taking more time and artistic creativity to produce the final image.

If you want to use my art then please contact me to enquire about obtaining permission.