COPYRIGHT POLICY

All of Hot Shots Photography, images, including the un-retouched previews, are marked with a copyright notice to remind you that they are copyrighted works. Our studio name appears on each image without exception, indicating that it is an original work of art of Hot Shots Photography. We want you to understand what copyright is and why it is important.

                In 1976, the Federal Government passed a law making it illegal to copy material protected by a copyright. These materials include items such as sheet music, books, paintings, and professionally created photography.

                The portraits you have commissioned us to create are made by the finest craftsman in the industry. Our studio invests heavily in training and education to provide the highest level of quality photography found anywhere – and this high quality in each of your portraits cannot be duplicated or copied without suffering a severe loss of sharpness, color and clarity. We also find copying morally wrong as it denies us our rightful income from the fruits of our labor and god given talents.

                Since such a loss of quality would reflect poorly on the reputation of our work, Hot Shots Photography has reserved the copyright on each portrait we create. Just as the composer of any piece of music, the author of a book, or maker of any painting has “Creator Rights” (copyrights). So do all photographers. Simply stated, someone who purchases a professional photograph is in much the same position as someone who purchases a book. They own the physical book, but they do not own the copyright, and the do not have the right to have additional copies made.

                A copyright infringement is defined as copying of an image without the written permission of the copyright owner. The copying is the infringement. This includes copying using a photocopier, a copy stand, or copy station or scanning it into a computer.

                Congress has been clear that copyright infringement is very serious business. In addition to providing criminal penalties for willful commercial infringement, the Copyright Act also authorizes private lawsuits to recover damages and legal fees. The Act permits the Court to award up to $100,000 per infringed work in “statutory damages” – without proof of actual damage. The highest awards are made where the infringement is willful, but even inadvertent infringement may lead to awards of up to $20,000 per photograph, plus legal fees.

                At Hot Shots Photography, our income comes from selling quality photography. Illegal copying hurts our ability to earn a living, ultimately makes it harder for us to continue providing our services to our clients at reasonable costs. We do appreciate your business, and hope this explanation will help you understand why we copyright our photographs. We also are thankful for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain the highest levels of quality and product integrity you have come to expect from Hot Shots Photography.

I ___________________________ have read and understand that all images produced by Hot Shots Photography, are copyrighted, and that I may not copy any of these images, or have someone else copy them, without written permission from Hot Shots Photography. I also understand that if I make unauthorized copies, I will be subject to legal penalties including monetary damages and reasonable attorney fees. Furthermore, any copying of these previews, reprints, or enlargements will VOID and terminate my contract with Hot Shots Photography.

Name : ________________________________

Signature: ______________________________

Date: __________________________________

Address: _______________________________