Every year millions of images are photocopied and used by commercial organizations around the world without any direct compensation to the image creator. Often this is because there is no practical way to track such usages, or because the creator cannot be easily identified. Nevertheless, commercial organizations recognize that they have an obligation, and a liability, to compensate creators for such uses.
In the UK, DACS (
Design And Artists Copyright Society) negotiates a share of the revenues such organizations collect for the books and magazines they photocopy, or the TV programs they record. Then they distribute this pot of money to those whose artwork has been published and/or broadcast.
For more than 30 years DACS has paid out millions of pounds per year in royalties to visual artists for work published in UK books and magazines, or broadcast on TV, through its long-established
Payback scheme.
Last year they paid out £15 million in royalties to artists and estates. The average payment was over £250 with a minimum payment of £25. Since DACS was founded in 1984, they have paid out over £75 million in royalties to artists and their estates.
All types of artists are eligible, including illustrators, photographers and fine artists. The deadline for applying each year is September 30th, or if you submit a paper form 17 September. In addition, this year DACS is giving away three iPad Airs to encourage artists to apply. Simply complete and submit an
online application form. You don’t have to be a UK resident to apply. The only requirement is that you have pictures that have appeared in UK books or magazines, or have been broadcast on TV, in the UK. DACS is currently acting as a trusted broker for over 90,000 artists worldwide.
Already applied this year? You are already automatically entered into the prize draw. For more information read the DACS
Terms and Conditions.
In some cases stock agencies collect revenue on behalf of the artist. In March
Alamy changed its contract to allow it to collect money for members if they are unable or do not wish to do so themselves. Getty Images is currently contacting some photographers about claims for 2015 usages.
If you have any questions contact Clare Rogers, DACS Payback Executive at
cnlonpx@qnpf.bet.hx or phone 020 7553 9099.
Collecting Societies In General
For more about collecting societies see
this story published in 2012.
In the U.S. the Copyright Clearance Center operates in a similar way to DACS in terms of collecting money, but the CCC does not make direct payouts to photographers. See
this story. In 2011 CCC collected $238,590 million and paid out $171,064 million in royalties. The bulk of these monies were for the copying of textual materials. Thus, only a small portion could rightfully be allocated for the copying of photographs.