We will sing an NDA and they also asked to relinquish copyright. I’m talking with the event planner but to my understanding the client is a multinational company. Is this normal? What would you do?
We will sing an NDA and they also asked to relinquish copyright. I’m talking with the event planner but to my understanding the client is a multinational company. Is this normal? What would you do?
It’s pretty normal and I am fine with it and make sure I am getting a good rate for the jobs, sometimes will bump up the fee for buyout depending on the circumstances. Happy clients become return clients and I am running a business. A lot of people will preach to never give away your copyright, they aren’t wrong, just figure out what hill you want to die on
They’re not wrong, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily right either. As a marketing company, we walk a fine line between keeping copyright on digital assets and transferring to the client.
In the simplest form, take a logo. There’s no question that when build a client the logo that will be the face of their company, we transfer ownership (copyright) to them. That only makes sense. In my instance, I carry that a bit farther in that when we design other digital elements for our clients, we also transfer ownership. Like brochures, business cards, signage, etc. because it all ties in and they should be able to use it how they see fit forever because they’ve paid for it.
So now to the photography. I fully understand a photographers right to not relinquish copyright. But I there there is an ethical boundary that needs to always be considered. And that is when a photographer is hired to shoot an event. Or to shoot a new product launch. Basically all “work for hire” scenarios. You’re being paid to shoot very specific things. The client needs to know that they can use the outcomes of that event in any way possible, at any time, for any reason. Because it’s their product. It’s their branding. And no outside party should have a continual interest in that.
Charge appropriately and see if you get hired. But if I’m wearing the hat of the client, I’m going to require ownership of the assets I’ve hired you to deliver.
I think you need to understand value of imagery in marketing more. Licensing and usage are a big deal all around, it doesn’t matter if it’s imagery, graphics, video, software, etc. It’s all intellectual property, and legally, as creators we own that property. Now for an event, that value is likely lower than a product shot that will be shown on packaging for an item being sold around the world, but perhaps not depending on what business your client is in. If they are selling events or speaking opportunities or anything in that realm and do so on a global scale, then the price of your copyright is high.
I get that you would give the copyright of a logo to the client. I would also be absolutely shocked if you did so for $1,000. Building out marketing assets for businesses comes in all shapes and sizes. Understanding the value of usage and how much $$$ a client is going to make using your property is absolutely necessary for pricing out your work. I’ve passed many many times on working with people who want to own copyright of my imagery but are not willing to pay for it. Work with someone else or do it yourself. And doing so, for me, has returned me the highest profits and best clients I’ve ever had.