I have a customer (who I have never dealt with before) who wants to buy a hi-res image file so that they can make a large canvas print for their living room.
Obviously if I provide the file I have little means of know what actually happens or how many prints they make. I've provided hi res images for publications before but not to an individual. Is this something that would typically be avoided - ie only sell prints direct?
I wouldn't provide a hi-res file unless it's a reputable corporate client or agency and the terms/limitations for its use are covered in a contract.
Personally, since I sell prints myself, I would also not be comfortable with the client making their own print from my files. My suggestion is to quote them for the cost of a print, even if you need to outsource to a lab to produce it.
Posted by Howard Cheek on July 9, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Can I jump in Tristan? Do you want to make money at this?
I would sell the file at a hefty price. Say the individual makes more than one print, what is the loss?
You retain the copyrights, and that's the bottom line in my humble opinion. You can always send em' a contract to sign regardless..
Good luck
The above makes sense to me. If you sold limited rights of use for the digital file, it should go for waaaaaaaaaay more than the cost of a large canvas print, and you should have a written contract.
You might be able to get a hefty price, but if they take it and have poorly done prints made then it makes you look bad. I am with Guy and Paul on this one.
Most likely it's just a trick from some type of art dealer. If the image is one of your dime a dozen shots I'd go through the bargaining process with the guy. If the guy does admit to selling images I'd go for adding some sort of signature small and discreet.
I had such a request once. It wasn't for a great image and not one I would have pushed anyways. I quoted a price equivalent to about 8-10 large prints at my current pricing (what I thought I might eventually sell of the image). The client opted to buy a print instead and take a low-res file for use as a desktop image.
If you do go ahead with either of the selling suggestions, I recommend that you register your image with the US Copyright Office. IF you find out they did make money off your image, then you have them by the ......shorts. BTW, any images you are selling should be registered. Not only do you have a much better chance of getting your images dollar worth, you also get to receive damages and possibly lawyers fees (or more than enough to cover them).
Troup
We sometimes get requests for the large portrait files from our studio. Rather than setting ourselves up for the use surveillance and if necessary, the lawsuits for misuse, we set our price so goshdarned high it scares them off. They're quite happy to have us make the prints or go shoot their own images. No sweat off our brows.
Our commercial, industrial, stock and scientific shooting is a different matter, in that the delivered products are in fact large files. Those are covered by negotiated license agreements. And frankly since most are for publication, it's pretty easy to monitor uses, compared to art prints or portraits that will be hung in homes and never seen. The terms of the agreements are included in all contracts and orders, delivery memos and invoices. According to our attorneys, their signature on those agreements, and especially their payment for those specific uses, will be lots more binding than a mere copyright. The court action and settlements are also likely to be pursued in your local courthouse rather than far away, as might be the case in copyright violations.
Discussion
12 repliesI have a customer (who I have never dealt with before) who wants to buy a hi-res image file so that they can make a large canvas print for their living room.
Obviously if I provide the file I have little means of know what actually happens or how many prints they make. I've provided hi res images for publications before but not to an individual. Is this something that would typically be avoided - ie only sell prints direct?
Any thoughts appreciated,
Thanks
Tristan
Personally, since I sell prints myself, I would also not be comfortable with the client making their own print from my files. My suggestion is to quote them for the cost of a print, even if you need to outsource to a lab to produce it.
Guy
I would sell the file at a hefty price. Say the individual makes more than one print, what is the loss?
You retain the copyrights, and that's the bottom line in my humble opinion. You can always send em' a contract to sign regardless..
Good luck
Troup
Our commercial, industrial, stock and scientific shooting is a different matter, in that the delivered products are in fact large files. Those are covered by negotiated license agreements. And frankly since most are for publication, it's pretty easy to monitor uses, compared to art prints or portraits that will be hung in homes and never seen. The terms of the agreements are included in all contracts and orders, delivery memos and invoices. According to our attorneys, their signature on those agreements, and especially their payment for those specific uses, will be lots more binding than a mere copyright. The court action and settlements are also likely to be pursued in your local courthouse rather than far away, as might be the case in copyright violations.