Rights Violation Issues

Terry called and asked me to check out a photo in last week's WEEKEND section put out by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I usually skim through the whole paper to look at the pictures and see if any headlines seem worth reading, but I hadn't gotten to that section yet.

I was surprised to see a photo of Sloth Loves Chunk with a short blurb about the band and their upcoming performance. What surprised me was that the photo was one I had taken of the band and its obvious lack of a photo credit. So I just chalked it up to the band having given out the photo and not concerning themselves with all the pro-bono work I have done for them in the past by ignoring this little detail. On further investigation, however, I discovered that no one in the band had any idea of the photo or article being published until told about it by friends.

I immediately emailed the RTD news department - since they have no email to the WEEKEND editor. The gist of the email was that I would like to know how they came to use the photo without my or the band's permission.

The next morning I received an apologetic call from the WEEKEND editor explaining how the freelance writer of the blurb had not gone through the necessary protocol in this case, and that they had indeed used the photo without permission.

I took the high road (again) and explained my concern about not getting recognition and offered my services to the paper in a freelance capacity. Obviously they feel my work is worthy of printing; this was at least the 3rd photo they have printed (the others being with permission). I was told that they would keep my name in mind for future work. This was probably more a 'CYA' response than a promise for employment, so I don't expect anything to come of it.

So, be forewarned and make it a point to check out local papers and magazines frequently! You never know who is getting famous from your hard work...