There are a considerable number of misconceptions concerning the copyright of items on the Internet (or elsewhere).

Perhaps the most common is that copyright does not exist in items where it is not specifically mentioned. This is simply an urban myth! While the situation regarding copyright (including the present confusion concerning image rights which is a different but related subject) is a complicated manner it is possible to make a few assumptions and be fairly safe in this legal quagmire.

It is safer to assume that copyright exists in every published word and picture taken in the last 75 years or so (no, it's not that simple, but it's a reasonably safe premise).

The items which I find most often stolen (yes ... that's an appropriate word!) from this site are, not surprisingly, photos. The copyright in all photographs used here belongs to me unless specifically stated otherwise. I don't have to state the matter - it is so by virtue of the fact I pressed the shutter. Some of the remainder have been taken with my camera when loaned to others. The copyright then belongs to them! It is a reasonable presumption that you do not own the copyright of a photo unless you pressed the shutter. It matters not who owns the camera, the film, or in my case the CMOS chip, that recorded the images. This situation can be varied by prior agreement between photographer and client ... this might be worth remembering if you ever hire one for a specific occasion, such as a wedding.

Image rights are a much more complicated matter as recent court cases related to the image of the Late Princess of Wales illustrate. To use a rather obvious example, I do not recommend that you photograph a Coca Cola label for instance and, since you have taken the photo, assume you have the right to use it where and when you choose.

Want to use one of my pictures?

I receive quite a few requests for photographs sometimes for use on web pages and sometimes for printed material. The copyright situation remains the same whatever use you intend putting the pictures to. I am normally am happy to say "yes".  I almost always use the following criteria...

• Are you an  individual who plays the sport, or a non-profit organisation (e.g. a charity)? If "yes", then there would not normally a charge for the use of a picture or pictures and I would be happy to supply high resolution copies so that they print well. It pains me to see printed copies from the files I use on this site, since they are very low resolution and don't do justice to the original image. You can buy me a drink sometime! If you would like quality prints I am happy to supply them for a small charge to cover my costs.

• Are you a profit making organisation? e.g. a commercial company such as a newspaper or magazine. In this case normal commercial rules apply and I am always happy to recoup some of the cost of acquiring these pictures.

Pictures supplied on CD-ROM

If you have received a CD-ROM from me in the past, either requested, or as a gift, you will find a file on the CD indicating the uses I am happy to allow for my pictures. These would normally follow the guidelines above. A CD-ROM supplied as a gift does not indicate that the copyright has been handed over too! 

Please respect the copyright notice on the CD-ROM and in the notes above.