BIPP represents professional photography to government and industry and works with groups such as the PIC (Photo Imaging Council), Skillset (the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media) and the BPLC (the united voice for the industry on copyright issues). BIPP is also a member of the FEP (Federation of European Professional Photographers).
03.06.10 - Play your part in shaping future skills
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, is currently undertaking the largest formal review of skills needs and working life in the UK's Photographic Industry. Results will directly and quickly shape all Skillset’s work, including future training support, pinpointing skills gaps and making sure our industry maintains its world class position.
26.05.10 - British Photographic Council Survery 2010
The British Photographic Council is conducting a survery into the state of the UK Photographic Industry. To take part in their 2010 survery please follow the link below. Please note you may only complete the survery once.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BPC-BIPP
08.04.10 - Clause 43 has now been removed from the Digital Economy Bill. Click here for more information.
Recent Meetings and Representation
- attending meetings at the British Copyright Council (BCC), of which we are members;
- working alongside the AOP, BAPLA, DACS and others in lobbying issues with the DEB (Digital Economy Bill) which have already been addressed, such as the dropping of Clause 17 and, significantly, changing the wording of other clauses such as those relating to orphan works;
- attending events run by BLACA, the BCC and SABIP;
- participating in the consultation working party set up by the Intellectual Property Office;
- working with Pro-imaging on the artists' Bill of Rights, in exposing rights-grabbing issues;
- participating in discussions with the British Photographic Council, of which we are members;
- participating in the BPC National Photography Symposium to discuss copyright issues and the DEB;
- joining with STOP43 in lobbying for the removal of Clause 43 of the Digital Economy Bill.
Hostile Reconnaissance
Terror Laws, Civil Liberties & Press Freedom- Rally
13 April 2010, Friends Meeting House, Euston
The London Photographers’ Branch is proud to announce a pre-election rally on Terror Laws, Civil Liberties & Press Freedom at 7pm on the 13th of April at Friends Meeting House in Euston.
Speakers include:
Jeremy Dear, General Secretary National Union of Journalists
Paul Lewis, Guardian Journalist & British Press Awards Reporter of the Year 2010
More speakers are TBC and will include high-profile photographers, journalists and lawyers who have dealt with the raft of terror laws that we face today.
Supporting the rally are the National Union of Journalists, NUJ London Central Branch and the I’m a Photographer, Not a Terrorist! campaign group.
Fore more information visit: http://londonphotographers.org/2010/04/hostile-reconnaissance/
Photographers & The Police - A seminar
14 April 2010, 6.30pm-8.30pm, AOP Gallery
Join human rights lawyer Shamik Dutta from law firm Fisher Meredith LLP and photographers David Hoffman and Paul Stewart for a seminar answering many outstanding questions regarding photographers' rights to take pictures. First come, first servied; spaces limited. Click here for more information or book by e-mailing events@aophoto.co.uk.
BIPP continues the battle to protect photographers' rights by joining the campaign led by Stop43. The core aim of Stop43 is to stop commercial orphan works exploitation in the UK Digital Economy Bill Clause 43. For more information on the campaign visit their website or go to Digital Economy Bill on the BIPP site.
The Bill of Rights for photography competitions is a campaign which began in 2008, led by Pro-imaging. The campaign aims to protect photographers from ruthless exploitation by competition organisers, who seek to gain perpetual and irrevocable usage rights of the competition entries. BIPP is proud to support this protection of photographers' rights. When entering competitions, it is vital that all terms and conditions are read and fully understood, before submitting images.
Copyright & Licensing
The copyrights and licensing of images is a complex issue, governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Key points include:
- The Act is governed by law and copyright is an automatic right - it does not need to be registered.
- The Act aims to protect peoples work from being copied.
- Photographs are considered 'artistic works' within the Act.
- Copyright applies to any medium. This means that copyright protected work cannot be produced in
another medium without permission. This includes the publishing of photographs on the internet, a
painting of a photograph etc.
- Copyright does not protect ideas for a work. It is only when the work itself is fixed or tangible.
- A Copyright protected work can have more than one copyright, or another intellectural property (IP) right connected to it.
The Intellectual Property Office (www.ipo.gov.uk) is the official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property (IP) Rights in the United Kingdom. There is comprehensive information on Copyright and licensing on their website, www.ipo.gov.uk. Their Information Centre are able to answer general copyright enquiries, they cannot give opinions or advice on infringement. They can be contacted on 0300 300 2000 or information@ipo.gov.uk.
The full Act of 1988 can be seen on the website of the Office of Public Sector Information-
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/UKpga_19880048_en_1.htm.
Photographers who are members of the BIPP have access to a number of legal document masters, including terms and conditions, wedding contracts, licensing and re-usage documents and agent/photographer agreements. All of these will play vital roles in protecting a photographer's copyright. BIPP photographers also receive free legal advice as a membership benefit.
Taking Photographs in Public Places
BIPP continues to work to protect photographers' rights. A current issue is the taking of photographs in public places. Along with meetings with government bodies we liaise closely with organisations such as Pro-imaging and the AOP to highlight these vital issues and concerns.