photographs used without permission

[k8bailey]

Can a photographer use images of children to promote their work on the internet (in this case Facebook) without the parents permission?

[natalie]

No its illegal!
Forms have to be signed by the parent/ guardian
xD

[murraymints]

NO NO NO NO NO......

[sandyRoe]

The photographer owns the copyright. I suppose they can use their photographs any way they want.
In what circumstances were the pictures taken?

[natalie]

Sandyroe
they own the rights of the pictures after the parent had given permission for them to take and use them
xD

[andy-hughes]

It does depend on the circumstances under which pictures were taken.

Any photograph taken in a public place is non-copyright, and copyright laws are too long and comples to consider here.

If you are the parent in question, or wish to advise the paretns concerned, i suggest that they contact the photographer, and outline their feelings politely, and request that the images be removed. That's probably all that can be done.

[pink-kittens]

I think they can

The photo's are their property - a friend of mine had her wedding pics used in a shop window and when she asked for him to remove them as she hadn't given her permission she was told sorry, the photographer has every right to use them as he has copyright on them.

[murraymints]

Different matter with kids though.....

[k8bailey]

playgroup invited a photographer in to take individual portraits of the kids
last summer. I've just discovered that she's put pictures of my then 2 year old daughter on facebook. Nothing was signed as the photographer is one of the mums who had just set up on her own.

[Hawkwalk]

you could always ask her to remove them if you are not happy although I do not see what the issue is. If the photo is innocent and does not identify your child then what harm can it do. I notice a child photo in your avatar which is now there for all to see - what is the difference?

[boxtops]

I belong to a community theatre group and when we sign the youngsters up for a new show, we ask parents to sign a permission form giving permission for photographs which may be used in publicity material. I wouldn't like to see a pic on Facebook, it's too hugely public for the world, I wouldn't like it either.

[DTCwordfan]

As I understand it, if in a public place, the intellectual property rests with the photographer. If a child, ditto, if anonymous and no direct objection from the parents (e.g a school photo or photo of a kids play). If named, the parents should be approached for blessing (even if it is just for a courtesy). Not sure what age that is removed which I think is 12 (i.e. general puberty - and, yes, I know, there are different ages for this aging process).

[DTCwordfan]

boxtops, that happens in the US as well......thanks.

[k8bailey]

i know it looks a little hypocritical and I probably would've felt flattered and given her permission, if she'd asked. I know that one of the other mums in particular definitely wouldn't have given permission. Also some of the younger kids were picured naked or in nappies, just makes me feel a bit uneasy that we weren't asked for permission to put pics of our kids on the net.

Thanks for all the replies, I think I'll let the other mums know what has happened and what all of you have said, then we can decide what to do.

[boxtops]

I wouldn't like it if they were unclothed, there are too many undesirables prowling around the net..... DT, we ask for permission up to age 16.

[askyourgran]

My granddaughter aged 4 was keen on gymnastics at the local Leisure Centre. The children were photographed on the trampoline, and my granddaughter's
photo was used as a poster and also on the information leaflet. I believe they asked my daughter's permission to use the photo first.

[DTCwordfan]

well any form of nudity I can fully understand the concern (have young kids).....

[wolf63]

I think that it is best to be over-cautious when it comes to issues regarding children, the internet and all the really, really, freaky weirdos out in cyberspace and beyond.

[karenmac60]

My sister's picture was used as a Kodak advert years ago without my parents knowing anything about it - and they only discovered it because a friend of a friend had it on her wall! My aunts boyfriend had taken the pic and then entered it in a competition which he won, and it was then used in magazine ads. My parents weren't very happy about it but apparently there was nothing they could do.

[tamborine]

Is that your d'ters piccy as your avatar; its available to all cybers to use as they see fit.

[pink-kittens]

People see the words 'photograph children' and all sorts of stupid things run through their heads

If that is your child's pic in your avatar you cannot have it both ways. Your daughter's pic *could* have been used many many times by now by anyone on here and anyone else worldwide and yet you complain about a bit of advertising on FB? And (purely on an assumption of course) people even know your real name Kate Bailey