Your Digital Photos Are Too Professional

ScentCone writes "AP's technology writer Brian Bergstein reports that your 8 megapixel camera, and lukewarm+ lens/Photoshop skills may keep you from getting over the counter image printing services. Professional photographers have successfully sued processors (like Wal-Mart) for reproducing their digital works without permission. Clerks are now being told to deny print orders for some work that looks too good. Talented amateurs are having to jump through hoops, present documents, and otherwise cajole teenage cashiers into taking their orders. No doubt one successful suit costs more than a thousand denied amateurs' orders, but sheesh. On the other hand, pro wedding photographers depend mightily on the income derived from reproducing their work, and it will take time for things to evolve to the point where clients are willing to pay a lot more up front in exchange for wider image rights after the fact. There's no well-supported digital equivalent to a negative (as reasonable proof of ownership), so retailers are defensively resorting to near paranoia to stay out of court."

Comments

what's all the fuss?

[yagu]

I don't know what all of the fuss is about.... I've been having my pictures printed at WalMart for years, and never had any problems....

That leads to some awkward moments at photo desks when customers' images get barred for essentially looking too good.

..., ahem, ...., uh, ...., never mind.

Re:what's all the fuss?

[noidentity]

Luck you! I had them rejecting freakin' accidental shots of the wall, claiming I must be trying to reproduce some expensive abstract modern art.

Re:what's all the fuss?

[WickedClean]

A friend of mine had some trouble with Walmart censoring his personal photos. He and some friend took some funny pics with a hot dog and it looked like...well...a 'real' weiner. They refused to give my friend his pics, so he stood by the desk and harassed the customers for a half hour before they finally agreed to give him the pics if he'd just go away.

Re:what's all the fuss?

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, they developed and printed those, too. You just didn't get them back.

I Know

[sammykrupa]

"Your Digital Photos Are Too Professional"

Yes, I know. Thank you.

Hrmm

[axonal]

All the Walmarts I've been to denied the pictures from my honeymoon. I guess they must be some really good professional pictures.

Re:Hrmm

[MyLongNickName]

I think it had more to do with the midgets, the trapeze and the leather restraining harness.
Not all employees want to see your "personal preferences".

Re:Hrmm

[Anonymous Coward]

looks like somebody kept copies.

Wal-Mart wouldn't print my General Ackbar!

[Anonymous Coward]

They said it might be a trap.

DRM

[RickPartin]

I can't wait till they start DRM'ing film. You have developed this film more than one time. Please call this activation hotline you god damn pirate. Thank you

On the other foot

[Boing]

I'm afraid I can no longer purchase movies or cds from Wal-mart, because for all I know they're just well done bootlegs. I've got to "err on the side of protecting copyrights", after all.

Same thing with other Wal-mart products, I'm afraid... I can't be sure that they're not violating the trademark protections of Coca-cola by packaging a knockoff as The Real Thing (tm).

Re:safety.

[Nogami_Saeko]

Ah, but you see - after a knife, hammer, pillow, or other dangerous objects are utilized, there are less people around to file lawsuits.

Which means it's OK!

N.

Re:Don't let your wedding photographer bully you!

[Anonymous Coward]

I wonder just one thing: how come you are slashdot user #508 AND married!

Re:I work in a Wal-Mart photo lab.

[Jherek Carnelian]

we have Fuji Frontiers, look them up, and I at least know how to use it

You and about two other walmart employes in the entire country.

Re:Don't let your wedding photographer bully you!

[alex_guy_CA]

Wait a second, you are not allowed to admit that I am right and you aren't. This is /. You are supposed to call me a name and put me on your foe list!

There is no place for maturity here!

Re:Don't let your wedding photographer bully you!

[Grishnakh]

We had a few photos that were not very good, but captured a particularly important event.

Your wife getting boned by the best man?