Auto Shows

[Drew Phillips]

Let's say a car manufacturer happened to take one of your photos and prominently use it in their display at the L.A. Auto Show. My guess is that it might be used at other auto shows as well since they often use the same displays for multiple shows.

Any ballpark figures on an appropriate licensing fee?

[Mike Ditz]

It depends on where they got it, If they just plucked it off the internet that's one thing and is like any other unauthorized use. Many people consider anything to be fair game and will use it for their own purposes without asking. If it is a shot with a current client this is usually considered an additional use beyond PR/Editorial, but not Advertising, it depends on your contract/invoice/T&C. With a non-client it's a stock photo license.
Without knowing how large the image is used (20 foot' backlit trans?Little poster on a stand nest to a car? Element in a video wall?) and which shows will it be used at ,LA-Detroit-NYC-Chicago-Miami is different than Fresno-St. Louis-Orange County-Albany. Don't guess, ask for details.

[Drew Phillips]

It was unauthorized use. They must have grabbed the photo off the internet, although I'm not sure what source. The photo is all over the place at 1280x850, but the only full resolution version is on a password protected page. The photo had to be at least 6 feet wide, so I'm not sure exactly how they sized it that large without losing a ton of quality.

[Todd Corzett]

There is a category in fotoQuoe for corporate show displays... it's really a great program to have for these sorts of pricing questions (it would pay for itself with just this one case). There are guidelines for almost anything you can think of. Something 6'x4' (24sq. ft) - not taking into consideration the unauthorized usage and the other things that Mike points out above - has a stock range from $700-$1400 per show.

-Todd...

[Morgan J Segal]

That is why I don't post wallpaper images on the internet

[John Thawley]

They can output the big wall drops at about 55-70 dpi. But if it came from a jpeg... it would be pretty lossy. My guess is they got it from "someone" in hi-res.

Get your numbers in order... I've got a hunch this will be a one phone call deal. They'll probably pay without much resistance. They don't want the embarrassment...

[Mike Ditz]

Get your numbers in order... I've got a hunch this will be a one phone call deal. They'll probably pay without much resistance. They don't want the embarrassment...

Or have to replace the image in the display, and explain what happened to the boss and why the shot he or she likes is gone....

You've got the upper hand.

[Drew Phillips]

The closest thing I can find on FotoQuote is "Trade Show Display Panel" - would that provide an accurate amount?

[Mike Ditz]

The closest thing I can find on FotoQuote is "Trade Show Display Panel" - would that provide an accurate amount?

Trade shows usually are for the trade, so add a bit more % for a "consumer" show.

[Morgan J Segal]

Any update on this?

[Drew Phillips]

Just talked to someone from the company this morning. They still don't know who's actually responsible for using the photo or why it was used, but they were very apologetic. As soon as they figure out more details they are going to have me send them an invoice.