Photos Prints Bought at Park. Copyright Release forms?

[JoMouse]

Interesting. I was informed of the copyright waiver on the cd but no one knew whether or not there was a release for a picture printed in the park. I talked to two managers in the park and they didn't know. Since they have release forms for the DCL cruises readily available. They also told me that pictures from the website had a copyright release with them. I directly questioned them on this point and they told me they did. While other people on the board have told me they didn't recieve one.

This post is to is only intended to bring attention to the problem and see if anyone else has dealt with it before.

 

[JoMouse]

Hi everyone

Got an email from the photopass people and here is what they had to say:

Thank you for your inquiry about having copies made of a print purchased
while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Copyright releases are typically handled through the Walt Disney World
Legal Department. You can email wdw.requests@disney.com with your name,
mailing address, the approximate date the photo was taken, the size of
the photos and the number of photos you wish to be copied. Releases are
not sent via e-mail, as the release must be physically signed.

Also, this information and request instructions are available through
the Legal Department phone message line at (407) 828-5300. This number
will give important information and instructions about how to request a
photo copyright release (option 4). The Legal Department fax number is
(407) 828-6015.


If you call then the message also gives you an email address

wdw.request@disney.com
The want picture details both of the pictures you want to reproduce and the prints you want to make.

They say it will take up to 4 weeks. May be a little late by the time I get permission but it seems to answer my question about the copy release on individual pictures. Wish they made it as easy as the DCL pictures. It would certainly expedite things.

 

[Luvamouse]

I was specifically told by the CM at Main Street Photo in MK that the photos printed in the park (if I took advantage of the 'buy the Photo Pass CD in the park, get 3 free 5x7's offer') had the Disney copyright in the bottom right corner. Conversely, if I ordered the CD and printed any at home or other places, there would be no copyright printed on any photo since I am buying not only the photos but the copyrights to them. That is why he suggested I print the waiver on the CD as well as bring it in the Photo Pass packaging so that any store would realize I had the right to copy them.

Not trying to argue at all , just informing you of my exchanges with them. I asked at Epcot's photo store, Grand Floridians photo station and the MK one to be sure of what I was doing since the Photo Pass is such a great deal with no copyrights attached.

 

[JoMouse]

Hi,

I am happy that I have gotten to the Disney Legal Deptarment and think that the park people (Photopass managers) need to know how to handle this request in the furture. I am glad there is a policy and that the Photopass website people knew it and directed me. I have dealt with the legal department before on a web image issue and know they are usually very cordial. So far I have already recieved two responses to my copyright request and it looks as if I may recieve a release shortly.

Now It would be nice to get the ride photographs tied into the photopass system. Then the $124 would really be worthwhile.

 

[Luvamouse]

Well, I am glad it is working for you. Still, I have to say I think they didn't hide anything given that there is a Copyright mark on the photo. I am surprised that DCL allows for a waiver at all. That isn't standard procedure with Copyrighted photos.

The Photopass site itself says--

All photographs taken by Disney's PhotoPass Photographers and all images from the Disney's Photo Gallery are owned and copyright protected by Disney. Please be aware that it is illegal to reproduce or distribute copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright owner. Accessing pictures or text provided on Web sites does not give you any rights to use them. Only the copyright owner, or the owner's legal agent, can grant permission to copy, distribute, or publicly display protected material.

Option--

Disney's PhotoCD comes with a limited copyright release agreement which grants permission to reproduce the photos on the disk for personal use only. The copyright agreement is stored on the CD itself and is located in the main directory. Instructions on how to access this file are located on the back of the CD case. You must present this agreement to your photo retailer when you create prints of your Disney's PhotoPass photos.

Also, I think the $125 IS worth it. I got 116 photos taken. I've added borders and autographs so now I have 184 pics on it. Being able to get 4x6 prints (you can't even order them of the PhotoPass pictures) is a huge plus-- not to mention that I can pay less than .20 each for them. I found the Test Track photos (the only ones that are put on the photopass right now) to be blurry anyway.

Biggest plus, I am in the photos for once!

 

[jazz0007]

I just had to chime in and say....as a professional portrait photographer myself, it is refreshing to hear how many of you actually understand and agree with copyright laws! Thank you.

 

[JoMouse]

Hi again,

I recieved my Disney release letter today. I am very happy with the expediancy in which they handled this. I have a one time release for 50 copies which is all I will need.

I wish it could get a release as easily as you can for DCL pictures.

But I am very happy with the fact that the people at Disney legal understood that my christmas cards needed to be printed soon. Thanks Disney Legal...

Now I hope that others will understand how to get photo releases of prints bought at the parks.