model release for pets?
 

As the title says.....do you need a model release for a pet to sell the image?

I don't know for certain, but I'd imagine you'd need a model release from the pets owner, unless the image was taken in a public place where there was no reasonable expectation of privacy.

An Interesting question which set me off Googling.

It appears that pets have no privacy rights and are regarded as property.

I suspect it depends on if the pet owner can afford a good lawyer and if your ever likely to make a fortune from selling the photo :D

This is what Alamy have to say on the matter related to release forms and protection.

http://www.alamy.com/contributor/hel...e-releases.asp

done some googling myself, couldnt really make up my mind whether you do or not, as always lots of opinions but no concrete answer.

the reason i asked was because i joined up an image bank, and it says in the legal stuff that images of recognisable people need a realease as do property.

i have alot of pet images and wondered what the deal was.

There's your answer then. If the image bank says they need a form, then they need a form, regardless of whether anybody else says they need one.

for people and property........says nothing about pets though......maybe ill send them a message.

Pets are invariably somebody's property. You'll need a form.

thanks for the advice...:)

You can do anything you wantwith the photo, you took it, it belongs to you, the only thing you can't do is name the pet on your photo, it's the same with photo's of children, as long as there not named you can use it for anything. Hope this helps.

Not at all sure about this, particularly that bit about children! Do any thing you want with a shot of a child? I think not unless you want real trouble from the police!

Absolutely not true! the image bank the OP is referring to has stated clearly they need a release form for property. The image bank will not accept work without this release.

If your statement were true, there would be no such thing as a model release form, it would be completely un-neccessary. For photos that will be used in commercial applications - ads, brochures, posters, greeting cards, catalogs, postcards, kiosks, trade shows, Web sites, etc. - it is highly advisable to get a release form signed by the subject or owner, or parent/guardian for children.

See:
http://www.professionalphotographer....l-Release-Form
http://www.alamy.com/contributor/hel...e-releases.asp
.... and many other similar sites.

I have to agree with Duncan.

Imagine you took a photo of an innocent man looking suspicious in the street getting into his car. His features fully recognisable. At a later date you sell the image for a Police Poster which indicates the guy is trying to steal the car. Unless the guy signed an agreement to let it be used for this purpose you could be up to your neck in libel suits.

Release forms can also be used to prevent a professional model (who was paid to sit for the session) claiming a share of the profits should the photo find its way onto a household item.