As a photographer, your works are protected by the Copyright and Related Rights Act (CPA). If you discover that your photograph has been used without permission, you have several options:
Contact the infringer: The first step is to contact the person or organization that has used your work without permission. You can demand the immediate termination of the unlawful use and demand compensation.
Send a takedown notice: If your photo is published online, you can send a takedown notice to the administrator of the website where your work is posted. Submitting a copyright infringement notice requesting the immediate removal of the content can also help in this process.
File a lawsuit: If the infringer refuses to remove the photo or doesn’t agree to your terms, you can file a copyright infringement lawsuit. In the claim, you can include a request for compensation for the damages caused, as well as for the termination of the use of the photo.
Consult a lawyer: If you believe that your rights have been infringed and your photography has been used without permission, we recommend that you consult a specialist copyright lawyer, such as the IPfabrika team. We can guide you on the best steps to protect your rights and assist you in seeking redress.
It is important to know that as the author of the photograph, you own the exclusive rights to it and have the legal right to control how it is used. The legal framework in Bulgaria is designed to protect you and ensure that your work is properly rewarded.
Copyright protection starts automatically from the moment of creation of the work and its objectification in material form and does not require any subsequent formalities regarding its registration. Copyright has a term of protection that covers the life of the author + 70 years after his death, which also applies to photographs.
You can learn more about copyright protection and the services we offer here.
Image: Kwanisik, Getty Images
