Blink

The Tipping Point author Malcolm Gladwell has a new book out called Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, and it's recommended reading for attorneys by Ernie the Attorney.

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Work for hire negotiation

This post on photoblacklist.com shows the back and forth "negotiation" between a photographer and the alternative lifestyle pinup girl site Suicide Girls (SG) over work made for hire. The e-mail correspondence centers on who owns the copyright of the photos, the photographer or SG. SG's contract says they own the copyright. The photographer counters with a license for unlimited web usage and a one year printed publication license. SG counters that the contract is non-negotiable (and signs the e-mail with an xoxo). End of negotiation.

Oh, and SG is only offering $100 if they like the photos, and an extra $100 if the photographer preps the set. Considering what the photographer is giving up, that's not a whole lot of money. I suppose those just starting out in photography will sign the contract for "exposure." Ultimately, it's the decision of the photographer if he is willing to settle on SG's terms.

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If your photo's are too good, Wal-Mart may not print them

I like to think I take some pretty good pictures, but I've never had a photo lab refuse to print my photos because they thought a professional took them. According to this story in the San Diego Union Tribune:

One of the benefits of digital photography – the fact that amateurs can take better-looking photos and doctor them using photo-editing software – is also becoming a bane. Photofinishing labs increasingly are refusing to print professional-looking photographs taken by amateurs.

The reason: Photofinishers are afraid of infringing on professional photographers' copyrights.

Hat tip: Politech via Paul Allen Levy at Public Citizen.

Related: The New York Times has a nice collection of stories on Digital Photography.

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Ohio AG sues DSW over privacy breach

Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro has sued Designer Shoe Warehouse ("DSW") in a declaratory judgment action related to the theft of DSW's customer's personal information. The lawsuit (PDF) claims that DSW's "failure to notify each and every consumer who had personal information stolen from [DSW's] custody and control constitutes an unfair and deceptive act or practice in violation of the Consumer Sales Practices Act, R.C. 1345.02(A)." The lawsuit asks the court to order DSW to notify each and every consumer who had personal information stolen from DSW's custody and control.

This reminds me. The soles of my loafers are in sad shape. I need to get to DSW to buy a new pair. Maybe I'll pay with cash!

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Writing FAST

Writers Block! That's why I haven't posted to the MT Law Blog in a few weeks. I've had a couple of draft posts, but never finished them. Now, they're stale news. It's the same with my many screenplay projects growing cobwebs in my computer hard drive. Hopefully, help is on the way. I am reading Writing FAST: How to Write Anything with Lightning Speed.

Writing FAST was written by Jeff Bollow, award-winning filmmaker, acclaimed screenwriting teacher, and founder of Screenplay.com.au.

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