I hired a freelancer to design my logo, do I own it?
- 29.06.2026
I am a photographer and I discovered that a business has been using several of my photos on its website without permission or credit. They say they found them online and thought they were free to use. What are my rights?
You own the copyright in photographs you took, under the Copyright Act 1994, unless you were an employee or assigned the rights, and copyright arises automatically without registration. Using your images without permission is infringement, and the fact that they were found online does not make them free to use. Gather evidence, such as screenshots and the original files with metadata, and send a written notice that requires removal and possibly compensation, such as a reasonable licence fee. You can claim damages or an account of profits and seek an injunction, and additional damages may apply for flagrant infringement. You may also have a moral right to be identified as the author if you have asserted it. Consider a letter from a lawyer if the business ignores your notice.
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