Answer: photo copyright
How to copyright a photoCopyright arises automatically when you take it; registration is optional and helps in some countries
TimeBinder adds a layer of protection against AI and human fraud and disputes.
The file stays on your device. Your browser makes a digital fingerprint of the file. TimeBinder records the fingerprint and the time, not the file.
Short answer
In the US, UK, EU and Australia, copyright in a photo you take generally arises automatically when it is created, with no form to file. Registration is optional but, in the US, is needed before you can sue and affects damages. Keep your original files, which show when and how you made the image.
Automatic copyright and optional registration
The US Copyright Office says copyright exists from the moment a work is created in fixed form, and registration is not required for protection (Circular 1). In the UK, copyright is automatic and there is no registration system (GOV.UK).
In the US, registration is generally required before you can file an infringement suit for a US work (17 U.S.C. § 411), and timely registration affects statutory damages and attorney’s fees (§ 412). Photographers can register groups of photos in some cases. Australia has no registration system, like the UK.
Adding a © notice is optional but can discourage casual copying.
What to keep as evidence
Keep the original RAW or camera files, edits and exports. The camera’s EXIF data can help, but it can be edited (can photo metadata be faked). A TimeBind records a SHA-256 fingerprint of the exact file and a time, anchored to Bitcoin. The fingerprint is made in your browser and the file is not uploaded.
A TimeBind shows a file existed by a recorded time and has not changed since. It does not register copyright, is not legal advice and does not by itself prove who made the file. See how to prove ownership of a photo.
First Pooled TimeBind free, no card, then from US$5. An ASAP TimeBind is US$15.
Frequently asked questions
How do I copyright a photo for free?
In most countries copyright is automatic, so you do not need to pay. Keep your original files and add a © notice if you like.
Do I need to register my photos?
Not for copyright to exist. In the US you generally need to register before suing, so many professional photographers register.
Who owns a photo taken by an employee or on commission?
It depends on the country and any contract. Check your agreement.
Does posting a photo online give someone else rights?
Not by itself, but platform terms may give the platform a licence. Read them.
Sources
- US Copyright Office, Circular 1: Copyright basics.
- GOV.UK, Copyright.
- Cornell LII, 17 U.S.C. § 411.
- TimeBinder, How to prove ownership of a photo.
Related guides and tools
- How to prove ownership of a photoKeep originals and dates
- Can photo metadata be faked?Why EXIF is not enough
- What is a poor man’s copyright?What it does and does not do
- Prove copyright ownership without registrationA practical routine
- Copyright registration vs timestampWhat each one does
- All answersShort answers to common file-proof questions
Record a fingerprint of the file you rely on
Add a layer of protection against AI and human fraud and disputes: a dated, checkable record of the exact file you hold.
- Open the app and sign in with email or Google.
- Add your files. They stay on your computer.
- Seal them and download your Proof of Time certificates.
First Pooled TimeBind free, no card, then from US$5. See pricing.