WASHINGTON, D.C.—A number of radio stations are in hot water for allegedly using a professional photographer’s photos without consent. The photographer, Christopher Sadowski, alleges, the stations simply copied and pasted his photos from the New York Post Web site.
Womble Carlyle Telecom attorney John Garziglia tells Radio + Television Business Report that such actions (if true) cross a clear line and are not permitted.
“Any photo that is not the property of the individual or the entity at which the individual is an employee has to have consent before it can be used,” Garziglia said.
But despite the current controversy, he tells Radio + Television Business Report that he doesn’t believe such practices are widespread in the radio industry.
“The fact that we’ve not seen hundreds of these lawsuits shows that radio stations are following the proper protocol,” he said.
Click here to read “How To Avoid Photo Copyright Fights?” at Radio + Television Business Report.
John Garziglia represents radio and television broadcasters, offering personalized assistance in all areas of communications and telecommunications law including transactional and contract negotiations for broadcast station mergers and acquisitions, the securing of financing, governmental auctions of new frequencies, license renewals, new stations applications, facility changes, facility upgrades, licensing, and compliance with FCC rules, regulations and policies.
Follow John Garziglia on Twitter at @JohnGarziglia.