copyright laws for photography decency and libel

[moma newyork]

I am currently studying a 2 year photography course, one assignment want me to check up on copyright for photographs dececy and libel. I have searched different sites but come up with nothing. can anyone please help.

[Aschenbach]

Under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 copyright subsists in the creator of photographs which are themselves 'artistic works'. Copyright exists as soon as the photos are taken. Ownership of the copyright can be licensed or assigned to another person e.g. an employer. The right lasts for 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the creator dies.

The obscenity laws prohibit materials likely to 'deprave and corrupt' which is generally defined by the courts. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 also deals with indecent photographs.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940033_en_8.htm

Photographs are unlikely to be libelous themselves under the Defamation Act 1996 but could infringe privacy laws eg the case of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones v Hello! Magazine. See also s. 85 of Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880048_en_5.htm#mdiv85

[Hgrove]

This may be useful:

http://www.cla.co.uk/

http://www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/

[Hgrove]

Sorry - I should mention the websites I have given you are for English law.

[bluejonjo]

http://www.creativeinsightuk.com/CINOTES/PhotographicLic ensing.htm

Again UK, not US