Rights to Wedding Photos Will Belong to Photographers by Default after Copyright Act Changes

While a minority of people get hitched because they love each other or because they want companionship and a family, most people get married for the wedding pictures.

In fact, on most first dates these days, the first question isn’t “what do you do?” or “what is your passion in life?”, but “do you know any good wedding photographers?”.

I’m exaggerating of course, but people these days certainly place great significance on how their wedding photos will turn out, especially when shared on social media.

This is why soon-to-be spouses might be a little concerned about a new change to the Copyright Act, where they’ll lose the ownership rights over their own wedding photos.

Rights to Wedding Photos Will Belong to Photographers by Default after Copyright Act Changes

This won’t happen if you’re taking the photos on your own iPhone, of course.

The new amendment to the Copyright Act will grant the rights to your wedding photos to the photographer.

Previously, couples owned rights to their own wedding photos, even if they hired a professional photographer.

Now, however, newlyweds would have to negotiate with their photographer for the rights to be transferred to them, if they want them.

The new amendment is only expected to come into effect in November, though, so all you have to do is quickly schedule a wedding in the next few days so you can own your wedding photos. It shouldn’t be difficult at all.

Besides the obvious worries, there are concerns that without a written agreement, couples could possibly lose the right to their photos in some instances, even if there was an oral agreement in place.

So, if you are going to hire a wedding photographer after the amendment kicks in, do ensure that there’s a written agreement in place. It’s possible that it might cost more, but it’ll protect you in case there’s a dispute.

More Creators to Be Default Owners

It’s not just photographers who’ll benefit from this change to the Copyright Act.

Creators of photographs, portraits, engravings, sound recordings, and films will also be the default first owners of the copyright of their content, even if they’ve been commissioned to make it.

This way, they’ll be like musicians and writers, who have immediate copyright ownership.

This is why sharing a photo that you snapped at an art gallery or even a video of a dance performance in public or online won’t be as simple as it was before.

You’ll now have to credit the performers and creators, and if you don’t know who they are, you’ll need to identify them first.

Rather than targeting harmless teenagers in their rooms, this law is directed at businesses that don’t credit creators when profiting from their content.

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