Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8089
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
I have a bit of a love/hate friendship with a local entertainer here in Las Vegas who has an extremely bad reputation so over the last few years I've been keeping him at a bit of a distance. About a year ago he was telling me that he was getting a new show and that he wanted to hire me to do a photo shoot for promotional materials for it. I met up with him and I came up with a creative concept on a shoot that would involve multiple models, lots of unique angles, and a bunch of Photoshop post production. It was truly a unique concept for his style of entertainment. He LOVED the idea and asked me to put together a written quote for him, which I did. He said it was fine and that he would cut me a check in a few weeks when he got some time to do the shoot. A few weeks turned into a few months and then he kept telling me how he wanted to do the shoot real bad but to just be patient and wait a bit as he was having to renegotiate for a new showroom location. This dragged on and on and eventually I just gave up trying to get him locked-in. The last I spoke with him on the topic was about six months ago.
So yesterday, on his Facebook page, he posts a rough shot of what will be come his new promo photo and it is EXACTLY as I proposed it to him. Everything down to the angles, the poses of the models, EVERYTHING. The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. He's getting tons of negative comments on it too but it seems he's going to use the image anyway. My bet is he used a low budget photographer to do the job who was in way over their head and just cannot accomplish the job the way I would have.
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think?
Photographer
DaddyDPhotos
Posts: 65
Salinas, California, US
I am no attorney, but if you have dated e-mail I think that would help.
Photographer
Josh Yu Photography
Posts: 206
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Unfortunately not likely. You gave him an idea. You can't technically own an "idea" no matter how original it is (except by patent which you must register) so bad luck. Just do the shot better with someone else and make the guy regret his choice 
Photographer
SayCheeZ!
Posts: 20614
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8089
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
SayCheeZ! wrote:
You're sOL unless the other party signed one of these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agreement Yeah, I know, an NDA would have been the best move and knowing this doucheba....I mean "person" I REALLY should have known better. Oh well, my bet is his new show is going to fall flat on its face and this horrible photo he had done is just a disaster. I guess on that level I'm getting the last laugh and I suppose that makes it worth it in the end.
Photographer
J E W E T T
Posts: 2545
al-Marsā, Tunis, Tunisia
Had this exact thing happen to me recently. I chose to just let it go. I'll always have more ideas, and it just wasn't worth it.
Photographer
Al Lock Photography
Posts: 17024
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Situations like this is why I have a "consulting fee" built into my contract for the pre-shoot conference. It doesn't apply if they choose me for the job, but if they don't? It means that I make something for them picking my brains.
Photographer
RKD Photographic
Posts: 3265
Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
A long, long, lo-ooong time ago my Brother and I used to run a small graphic design company. We pitched for a job that a number of other design companies had bid for, didn't get it and lo and behold, four months later the cheapest bidder did the job using our design.
Since we had our original designs and drawings filed we were able to claw some money back for copyright infringement, but it almost wasn't worth the effort as the design was altered 'almost' enough to make it appear to be a coincidence... the court eventually found in our favour as the client had made copies of our proposal and passed them to the other company 'for reference', but the damages were still negligible and it cost us more than we made back in legal fees.
Unless you have some documentary evidence filed of your concept, including sketches or test-images, I doubt you'll have any luck as it's a case of "he said, she said"...
Photographer
R A V E N D R I V E
Posts: 15867
New York, New York, US
yeah I usually push for an agreement with remedies for competing with the idea discussed, as well as remedies for unauthorized disclosure
Photographer
The Dave
Posts: 8848
Ann Arbor, Michigan, US
It's Vegas... Either he will use crap shots like so many of the other losers do or he will come backing asking you to do it right, if he does that, double the bid.
Photographer
Steve Lim
Posts: 63
Falls Church, Virginia, US
Forget it and move on. Don't let it drag you down. Be prepared with NDA next time. 
Photographer
In Balance Photography
Posts: 3378
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Find his competition and come up with a better idea for them
Photographer
Dan Howell
Posts: 3552
Kerhonkson, New York, US
What exactly is a 'unique angle'?
Photographer
Chris Chronos
Posts: 353
Benidorm, Valencia, Spain
Dan Howell wrote:
What exactly is a 'unique angle'? +1 I was thinking that too! An angle that one hast never used before!
Photographer
Leighsphotos
Posts: 3070
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
LMAO...recourse??
Because you had discussions with someone and they used your idea (badly) or so you say?
Litigation happy world we live in...next people will want to be paid for every little suggestion they dream up.
Photographer
KMP
Posts: 4834
Houston, Texas, US
Shot By Adam wrote:
I have a bit of a love/hate friendship with a local entertainer here in Las Vegas who has an extremely bad reputation so over the last few years I've been keeping him at a bit of a distance. About a year ago he was telling me that he was getting a new show and that he wanted to hire me to do a photo shoot for promotional materials for it. I met up with him and I came up with a creative concept on a shoot that would involve multiple models, lots of unique angles, and a bunch of Photoshop post production. It was truly a unique concept for his style of entertainment. He LOVED the idea and asked me to put together a written quote for him, which I did. He said it was fine and that he would cut me a check in a few weeks when he got some time to do the shoot. A few weeks turned into a few months and then he kept telling me how he wanted to do the shoot real bad but to just be patient and wait a bit as he was having to renegotiate for a new showroom location. This dragged on and on and eventually I just gave up trying to get him locked-in. The last I spoke with him on the topic was about six months ago.
So yesterday, on his Facebook page, he posts a rough shot of what will be come his new promo photo and it is EXACTLY as I proposed it to him. Everything down to the angles, the poses of the models, EVERYTHING. The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. He's getting tons of negative comments on it too but it seems he's going to use the image anyway. My bet is he used a low budget photographer to do the job who was in way over their head and just cannot accomplish the job the way I would have.
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? It happens all the time and has been going on for years in advertising. You'd have to ask an attorney about it. Typically in cases like this, they aren't worth the money paid.
What always gets me is 99% of the time a concept is stolen the execution is terrible. Mainly, I believe, because the person/people who stole it have no idea of why they were doing what they did and don't have the insight of the person who initially came up with the idea.
Good luck.
Photographer
salvatori.
Posts: 4288
Amundsen-Scott - permanent station of the US, Unclaimed Sector, Antarctica
Shot By Adam wrote:
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? As there is no signed agreement, you have no recourse. Further, you can't copyright an idea or concept, so you have no recourse there either. If things are as you say, you have no recourse except to be pissed off. Sorry 'bout that.
I will say that one thing in your OP sounds a bit catty. You say he is receiving tons of negative feedback? On his own FB page?
Seems like he would delete that kind of shit (which, if it's his page, he certainly can). So that part sounds like a bit of sour grapes to me. Don't get me wrong, you have a right to be angry, but keep it in perspective. You didn't really like the guy in the first place and it sounds like he would've tried to get your price down.
As this is a Las Vegas type of project, I would recommend doing some portfolio shots for some dancers... lol
Photographer
Worlds Of Water
Posts: 37732
Rancho Cucamonga, California, US
Dan Howell wrote:
What exactly is a 'unique angle'? My thoughts also as I have a tendency to shoot many 'unique angles' that I've noticed have been duplicated by some photographers on MM. One specific photographer noticed my angles, bought the exact same lens and camera configuration I use, and even had the nerve to shoot those same angles at a shoot I hosted...  ...  They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...
Photographer
Giacomo Cirrincioni
Posts: 22232
Stamford, Connecticut, US
Illuminate wrote:
LMAO...recourse??
Because you had discussions with someone and they used your idea (badly) or so you say?
Litigation happy world we live in...next people will want to be paid for every little suggestion they dream up. I agree that there is little to no recourse and I don't know the details of this case in full, however your statement is a bit bothersome to me as someone who dreams things up for a living.
I spent a solid week last month doing nothing but that for an agency to pitch an advertising client. I didn't do it as a favor I did it because dreaming stuff up is how I get paid.
Photographer
Fotografica Gregor
Posts: 4126
Alexandria, Virginia, US
That's what non-disclosure and non-competition forms are for
Photographer
M K
Posts: 251
Athens, Attikí, Greece
It has happened to me as well as for model make up set idea, but I kept the angles to myself Do not bother with people who steal, they are cheap
Photographer
GER Photography
Posts: 8463
Imperial, California, US
In Balance Photography wrote:
Find his competition and come up with a better idea for them ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Devious perfection!! I love it!!:-))
Photographer
Poison-Photography
Posts: 3
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Shot By Adam wrote:
I have a bit of a love/hate friendship with a local entertainer here in Las Vegas who has an extremely bad reputation so over the last few years I've been keeping him at a bit of a distance. About a year ago he was telling me that he was getting a new show and that he wanted to hire me to do a photo shoot for promotional materials for it. I met up with him and I came up with a creative concept on a shoot that would involve multiple models, lots of unique angles, and a bunch of Photoshop post production. It was truly a unique concept for his style of entertainment. He LOVED the idea and asked me to put together a written quote for him, which I did. He said it was fine and that he would cut me a check in a few weeks when he got some time to do the shoot. A few weeks turned into a few months and then he kept telling me how he wanted to do the shoot real bad but to just be patient and wait a bit as he was having to renegotiate for a new showroom location. This dragged on and on and eventually I just gave up trying to get him locked-in. The last I spoke with him on the topic was about six months ago.
So yesterday, on his Facebook page, he posts a rough shot of what will be come his new promo photo and it is EXACTLY as I proposed it to him. Everything down to the angles, the poses of the models, EVERYTHING. The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. He's getting tons of negative comments on it too but it seems he's going to use the image anyway. My bet is he used a low budget photographer to do the job who was in way over their head and just cannot accomplish the job the way I would have.
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? Your profile pic is using batman and robin suits even the bat sign in the sky. Are they suing you for using their idea? lol just pointing out the obvious
Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8089
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Chronos Productions wrote:
+1 I was thinking that too! An angle that one hast never used before! It certainly wasn't unique in the sense that it's never been done, but it was unique in composition for anything that's ever been done in the context of his show or shows like it. It was a highly complex series of shots we'd shoot in a studio and then composite together for the final photo. It's something that couldn't be done with one photograph and it's something that isn't just as simple as posing people together.
Photographer
Mortonovich
Posts: 6209
San Diego, California, US
Photographer
Laubenheimer
Posts: 9317
New York, New York, US
Photographer
Bobby C
Posts: 2696
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
"Good artists copy, great artists steal." Picasso
Wouldn't hurt to look to see if you have any copyright infringement recourse. If not, revel in the fact that the "copied" work is pretty bad and getting negative reviews.
Photographer
Bobby C
Posts: 2696
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Photographer
Jay Lee Studios
Posts: 1239
San Diego, California, US
With a nondisclosure agreement your screwed....
Photographer
Farenell Photography
Posts: 18832
Albany, New York, US
Shot By Adam wrote:
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? This isn't the legal advice you're looking for but more business advice.
Your situation is all the more reason why you charge people a shoot consultation fee before you flesh out your ideas, especially if you're going as in-depth as you did. That way if things fall through you get something for your troubles.
Photographer
A Morris Photography
Posts: 56
Derby, England, United Kingdom
Chalk it up to experience and move on. At the end of the day, while its a bloody annoying thing to happen, take what you can learn from it and don't let it eat you up. If you waste time and money trying to get justice, you will probably end up with nothing and the douche wont care either. You knew he had a bad rep to start with so maybe in hindsight agreeing to work with him wasn't so wise.
Sorry this happened to you!
Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8089
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
A Morris Photography wrote:
Chalk it up to experience and move on. At the end of the day, while its a bloody annoying thing to happen, take what you can learn from it and don't let it eat you up. If you waste time and money trying to get justice, you will probably end up with nothing and the douche wont care either. You knew he had a bad rep to start with so maybe in hindsight agreeing to work with him wasn't so wise.
Sorry this happened to you! Agreed. The truth is I'm really not going to pursue this legally but it just sure is frustrating. Karma has a weird way of biting this guy on the ass and I'm sure his new show is going to fall flat on its face within 60 days so I'll get a good laugh when it happens knowing I was not attached to the project.
Photographer
Jean Renard Photography
Posts: 2170
Los Angeles, California, US
next time you have something that specific, make a sketch and have the clients sign it.
Register the sketch and you have a bit more protection.
There have been lawsuits when photos were duplicated by others. The Black Book used to be theft central as art directors would make look books and bring them to shoots saying, do this and point to an image.
Photographer
M Pandolfo Photography
Posts: 12117
Tampa, Florida, US
Shot By Adam wrote:
The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. Unfortunately, there is no copyright on ideas. And they hold little value until they are executed.
You even proved that point yourself. He took your exact description and it was executed terribly. It's not the idea that makes the final product successful or unique, it's the execution.
He thought he could save a few bucks using your great idea and using another photographer. Didn't work out too well did it?
But, no, you would have no legal recourse on that idea unless there was the unlikely situation where you had him sign an agreement at the time you presented it that he wouldn't use that or any variation of the concept. That would be virtually impossible to enforce as well though.
Photographer
M Pandolfo Photography
Posts: 12117
Tampa, Florida, US
Jean Renard Photography wrote:
next time you have something that specific, make a sketch and have the clients sign it.
Register the sketch and you have a bit more protection.
There have been lawsuits when photos were duplicated by others. The Black Book used to be theft central as art directors would make look books and bring them to shoots saying, do this and point to an image. Yes, but this wasn't a duplicated photo, just an idea that was duplicated.
But I do like the idea to storyboard it out and have all parties sign it. That would offer a bit more protection and convey there was an agreement between the OP and the client.
Photographer
Hero Foto
Posts: 989
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Shot By Adam wrote:
I have a bit of a love/hate friendship with a local entertainer here in Las Vegas who has an extremely bad reputation so over the last few years I've been keeping him at a bit of a distance. About a year ago he was telling me that he was getting a new show and that he wanted to hire me to do a photo shoot for promotional materials for it. I met up with him and I came up with a creative concept on a shoot that would involve multiple models, lots of unique angles, and a bunch of Photoshop post production. It was truly a unique concept for his style of entertainment. He LOVED the idea and asked me to put together a written quote for him, which I did. He said it was fine and that he would cut me a check in a few weeks when he got some time to do the shoot. A few weeks turned into a few months and then he kept telling me how he wanted to do the shoot real bad but to just be patient and wait a bit as he was having to renegotiate for a new showroom location. This dragged on and on and eventually I just gave up trying to get him locked-in. The last I spoke with him on the topic was about six months ago.
So yesterday, on his Facebook page, he posts a rough shot of what will be come his new promo photo and it is EXACTLY as I proposed it to him. Everything down to the angles, the poses of the models, EVERYTHING. The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. He's getting tons of negative comments on it too but it seems he's going to use the image anyway. My bet is he used a low budget photographer to do the job who was in way over their head and just cannot accomplish the job the way I would have.
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? SIGNED NDA? DEPOSIT? ... life lesson learned ... TRUST NO ONE ...
Photographer
Hero Foto
Posts: 989
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Photographer
Kelvin Hammond
Posts: 17397
Billings, Montana, US
This kinda makes me want to see his FB page....
Photographer
MC Photo
Posts: 4144
New York, New York, US
Shot By Adam wrote:
I have a bit of a love/hate friendship with a local entertainer here in Las Vegas who has an extremely bad reputation so over the last few years I've been keeping him at a bit of a distance. About a year ago he was telling me that he was getting a new show and that he wanted to hire me to do a photo shoot for promotional materials for it. I met up with him and I came up with a creative concept on a shoot that would involve multiple models, lots of unique angles, and a bunch of Photoshop post production. It was truly a unique concept for his style of entertainment. He LOVED the idea and asked me to put together a written quote for him, which I did. He said it was fine and that he would cut me a check in a few weeks when he got some time to do the shoot. A few weeks turned into a few months and then he kept telling me how he wanted to do the shoot real bad but to just be patient and wait a bit as he was having to renegotiate for a new showroom location. This dragged on and on and eventually I just gave up trying to get him locked-in. The last I spoke with him on the topic was about six months ago.
So yesterday, on his Facebook page, he posts a rough shot of what will be come his new promo photo and it is EXACTLY as I proposed it to him. Everything down to the angles, the poses of the models, EVERYTHING. The only exception was that the photographer he used to shoot it did an extremely bad job with it and the initial retouching of the image looks like shit. He's getting tons of negative comments on it too but it seems he's going to use the image anyway. My bet is he used a low budget photographer to do the job who was in way over their head and just cannot accomplish the job the way I would have.
Anyway, I know this is an armchair attorney kind of question but do I have any actual recourse in this since it was completely my original concept on this shoot? I actually have notes on this and my proposal etc. What do you guys think? You're only recourse is to keep giving him ideas until he decides to hire you. Then you charge a super premium rate.
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They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... 