Please, don’t get me wrong this is not a rant against the bands, people or DIY venues, with whom and where I am photographing, this is a serious thought about companies and especially economic organisations who are using photos and images that were taken by someone else without their permission is a violation of copyright laws.

This means that the person who created the images has exclusive rights to their use and distribution. When a company uses these creations without obtaining the necessary permissions, they are engaging in copyright infringement. This type of behaviour is harmful to the image creator in several ways.

First and foremost, it undermines the value of their work. When a company uses an image without permission, they are essentially taking advantage of the hard work and effort put into creating it. This can cause financial harm to the image creator, as they are not being compensated for the use of their work. Additionally, it can also damage their reputation and credibility, as they are not being given proper credit for their contributions.

Furthermore, using unauthorised images can also expose companies to legal liability. Copyright infringement is a serious matter, and companies that engage in this behaviour can face significant legal consequences. This can include paying monetary damages, legal fees, and even having to halt their business operations.

In conclusion, it is important for companies and organisations to respect the rights of image creators. By taking the time to obtain necessary permissions and licences for the use of their work, companies can avoid engaging in harmful behaviour and protect themselves from legal liability. Additionally, this also helps to promote the value and importance of the work created by creators, and supports their ability to continue creating high-quality work in the future.

With that said, I am probably shooting myself in the foot as usual just because I do have an opinion about this, I just want to express my concern about lazy organisations showing no respect for other people's work. At least one venue, you know who you are, in the area where I am based will not see me supporting their “business” and more are to come I am sure.

I am extremly tired of this ranting but no one else is really making a fuzz about it. I will continue my work as usual but maybe not so active as I used to since I don’t have the energy or joy in doing this for exploiting people.

To me it is unfortunate that some educational institutions especially within the cultural field do not prioritise the importance of respecting copyright laws and the rights of freelance photographers and image creators.

An option is to educate yourself on copyright laws and how they apply to your work though I thought school would help and educate students with these issues. This can help you to better understand your rights as a creator, and what you can do to protect them.

It is important to advocate for better education and awareness on these issues. By raising awareness about the importance of respecting copyright laws and the rights of freelance photographers and image creators, we can help to create a culture that values and protects these rights and work together in solidarity.

To clarify the situation, I almost always allow permission to use my images/photos if I am asked if my name is mentioned and for no money what so ever.

Sharing is not always caring, it’s stealing.

Fragile Mountain Punk Festival 2024