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Northern Soul Images - Keeping The Faith Copyright Letter

a letter from photographer John Barrett

By Mike in Soul Music Articles
Published 05 Jun 2019

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A tale of copyright issues, long (and I do mean long) time readers may remember back in 2004 a book by photographer John Barrett was published containing many stylish and unique photos of the then current Northern Soul Scene

The blurb on Soul Source back in 2004 went like the below and you can also re-visit the original 2004 article via the  link following the quote

A new book out now. 223 pages full of black and white images taken on today's Northern Soul scene, at venues all around the country, John Barret's stunning photos capture  the people and the whole aspect and feel of the Northern Soul Scene perfectly . Featuring a foreword by Dave Godin this book is the result of two years work by John Barrett as is detailed in his introduction.

Link to original news item:
https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/news-soul/keeping-the-faith-new-book-out-now-r1483/

Fast forward 15 years ago and you would think that in these days of strict 'online copyright' practices  Mr Barrett's works would have been treated correctly by the major mainstream photo agencies, however it seems that Mr Barrett has an issue with one of the major players, an issue which spurred him to draft the following letter
read on ...

 

Dear Friends

Since the mid 1990s I have been documenting, using reportage photographic techniques a British sub culture called Northern Soul. The visual research culminated in a book entitled ‘Keeping the Faith’ ISBN no: 09-548982-0-6.
The photographic collection toured the UK in various galleries and venues and the theme was very popular throughout the UK.

Just over a week ago I was following links to themed photographs on Pinterest and I noticed several of my images were shown on their website. The links led me to the Getty Images photographic library and I counted 23 photographic images of mine that were for sale on their site at £375.

To see the violation of copy write laws simply go to: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/man-attempting-a-back-flip-on-dancefloor-at-a-northern-soul-news-photo/175221196

As you may notice they have a PYMCA brand attached and details of the Getty images content Licence Agreement suggesting that they hold the full rights to my photographs. I believe Getty obtained my photos from PYMCA when I had a gallery show in 2007. At no stage did I give them any licence to use my work and never been contacted to agree to this nor have I ever received any monies from any party associated with on-line photo libraries.

I was given permission to publish the people captured in the photographs but Getty has never contacted anybody about gaining permissions in their quest to obtain immense profits via breaking all copyright laws.

If you can support me by passing this on to friends and contacts to expose these Getty practices then it will help myself and other photographers and ultimately protect the individuals shown in the images.

You can email Getty direct if you feel you need to. I cannot afford to pay for lawyers to represent me and Getty therefore does not respond to my correspondence. 

Thank you for your support.

John Barrett
 

The headquarters of Getty Images in London is:

Getty Images, 101 Bayham Street, Camden Town, NW1 0AG. 

Tel: 02032 272500

Email: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/customer-support

End of letter

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Keeping The Faith - New book out now
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Mick Boyle

Many years ago our website designer used a picture he had found on the internet and added it to our website. Within days I had a demand for payment from Getty Images claiming they owned the rights to the picture. I had it removed and never heard another word. Obviously I didn't pay.

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Steve S 60

The other side of the coin, my son has 40 photographs listed on Getty Images, mostly landscapes taken in the Lake District.  Getty pay him for each copy sold.

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Mal C

Interesting, I worked for PYMCA way back before the dates you mention,  I know the owner sold some images to Rex, which was bought by Shutterstock Editorial, but I’m not surprised to hear about your experience, unfortunately it happens allot. 

I would say you don’t need a lawyer, simply demand a list of the images they hold, the sales they have made to which magazines and media outlets, and a list of dates, and most importantly the fees they charged. 

Once you have this, you can get to work. Review your rights via the government copyright website. 

Good luck

malcolm 

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Mike

Mike 9,182

Posted (edited)

9 minutes ago, Tomangoes said:

Wow...

So who' owns all the photos sent in to soul source over the years? 

Have any ever been sold for money?

Ed

as said many times

if you have any questions on anything to do with the site then please  post them in the site support forum

that allows detailed replies/discussion and avoids taking the current discussion down off topic roads etc etc

 

Quote

Site Stuff - Soul Source support forum
Support & feedback. Site related feedback, questions, views, suggestions etc
Please browse recent topics as your issue may have already been reported/resolved.

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/forum/41-site-stuff/

 

Edited by Mike
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Mike
21 hours ago, Mal C said:

Interesting, I worked for PYMCA way back before the dates you mention,  I know the owner sold some images to Rex, which was bought by Shutterstock Editorial, but I’m not surprised to hear about your experience, unfortunately it happens allot. 

I would say you don’t need a lawyer, simply demand a list of the images they hold, the sales they have made to which magazines and media outlets, and a list of dates, and most importantly the fees they charged. 

Once you have this, you can get to work. Review your rights via the government copyright website. 

Good luck

malcolm 

sounds like good advice

let us know how you get on John

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Winsford Soul

All my photographs have copyright details embedded in the exif  details. Not sure how easy it is to remove,  bootleg such details.  I do know the ones that I have sold have gone to private individuals for their enjoyment and are framed on the walls of the properties. 

I did allow a holiday company the use of some of my photographs to promote a cottage that they rent out via their website. I didn't charge them for it and they no longer use them. 

Steve 

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Mrtag

Try ""Go Fund me" I am pretty sure other like minded photographers and general public who don't like to see the small business's and Individuals shafted by large corporative companies etc maybe no win no fee solicitors?    

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