Is there anything I should be careful about

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Is there anything I should be careful about

Looking for advice on using images on site...

PhraSEOlogy

8:44 pm on Aug 10, 2006 (gmt 0)

Hi folks,

I have several sites that sell products but I am now creating a local website that will be used to spootlight local businesses. I want to be able to photograph locations and probably the business owners and staff so that they can be included on the site.

I know that you can run into problems with using images of people (groups or individuals) without some sort of release form saying they consented to be in the photo and do not require any compensation.

I am not sure of all the issues that may arise but can anyone point me to a standard release form used in this situation, and can anyone advise me on any other issue related to taking and using photographs on a website of people, places and things?

Thanks!

piatkow

10:00 pm on Aug 11, 2006 (gmt 0)

Privacy laws vary between coutries. You should tell us where you are.

ispy

11:45 pm on Aug 11, 2006 (gmt 0)

You can post any pics you like on the internet! If people don't like it they can put up shutters to block their images fromt the street.

Beagle

4:51 pm on Aug 13, 2006 (gmt 0)

If you're providing a service for the businesses, I can't see that getting their permission for taking and using the photos would be a difficulty. Even within the U.S., privacy laws can vary in different states, so you might want to look locally for samples of release forms. If you're planning these to be objective articles or reviews (rather than simply positive ads), you could check with a local newspaper that has a website to see how they handle it. The possibility of posting negative comments about a business would be one problem that would come to mind. Another is that, if you take pictures of staff other than the owner, you'd need to get the business's permission and the permission of the individuals in the photograph (at least in my locality).

[edited by: Beagle at 4:52 pm (utc) on Aug. 13, 2006]

PhraSEOlogy

4:25 am on Aug 17, 2006 (gmt 0)

Thanks for the info. I guess I should have a small release form saying they consent to the photo and that I am not paying them to be in the photo - they volunteered.

Why cant anything be simple anymore?