Enhancing Copyright Protection for Amateur Photographers: A Proposed Business Model

The growth of amateur photography hosting websites has increased public access to a large and diverse body of photographic works. This experience has enriched the public and has facilitated exposure for artists that would otherwise remain unknown. But these photographers have increasingly become victims of unscrupulous businesses who pirate the amateurs’ works for profit. Because these artists rarely register the copyrights in their photographs, they are often denied a suitable remedy. Unprotected amateurs are thus increasingly denying public access to their works. A solution to this problem is possible: a business model that an amateur photography website can use to register large numbers of photographs inexpensively and efficiently. This model offers profit for photography hosting websites and protection for amateur photographers. It will therefore result in a more flourishing and diverse body of work available to the public.