Who Owns Your Image?

Innocent fun or free photo op?

In this age of digital media, it is easy to get confused about things like copyrights and rights to privacy. For instance, imagine you're out in public and someone snaps a picture of you or one of your adorable little offspring. In the space of one click your image became someone else's property, which they can post all over the web or turn into marketable merchandise without your consent. Or can they? Before you start cutting eye holes in paper bags, check out this article on The Rights of Publicity and Privacy. It may not keep Uncle Herb from posting snapshots to Facebook, but can keep your child from becoming "Mr. May" in the Cutest Kids Wall Calendar.