Walmart Employees Determine Federal Copyright Law?

[n031131991]

Those employees were being rude, I'll give you that, but unfortunately its true, they CAN NOT print documents that look professional. They can get in trouble and you can get in trouble. What the ladies failed to mention is that you could have signed that sheet that they were reading to you saying that you are the creator and then you could have walked out with your photos. How do I know this? I work at a Wal-Mart photo center.

[yourevilmonk]

Hello, I am a photo lab associate at Walmart. And the way they talked to you was a bit off. If you had taken/made the photos in question you have the right to fill out a form stating that you own rights to the photo and that you claim any responsibility of the damages or lawsuit that could follow because of walmart printing them and selling them to you.

[303destinomusical]

I JUST WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING TODAY. I WENT TO GO PRINT PHOTOS FROM MY BAND AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED COPYRIGHTS! I WAS PISSED!!!!

[yourevilmonk]

@303destinomusical Well if you took the photos then you own the rights to the photos. You don't own the rights to make prints if your in the photo only if you took the photo yourself.

[eakrieg]

I had my photos confiscated today. 5 managers & that many more employees at this store claimed my photos were professional & copywrighted. The truth is the photos were printed from a CD made by my daughter's friend of her dancing. She is a dance major, so the pictures were amazing, but not copywrighted, not paid for, not marked as such. What an ourage.

[yourevilmonk]

@eakrieg the photos don't need to be marked to be considered copyright protected. If they look professional then walmart requires written permission from the copyright owner/ person who took the photos. That is all that is needed to make the photos.

[TheGroutman]

walmart should sue you for the hidden video!

[TheGroutman]

Your the type of customer that made me leave that crapy job. The employees could care less. Its the home office that decides everything.

[TheGroutman]

I use to work at walmart photo lab you could be fired if you copied a proffesional print. If your a proffesional photographer why are you taking your film to a crappy 1 hour photo anyway?

[nwt34]

I agree with one thing.. If the Photo is copyrighted.. then deny making copies.. but for Amateur photographers who take pictures that "Look Professional" I dont want some walmart worker who has no idea about photograph or LAW telling me they wont copy my pics because in Their opinion "It Looks Professional".. If im an amateur photographer.. seems like would want my pics look as professional as they could..

[yourevilmonk]

@nwt34 Well the photo is copyrighted no matter what. All photos have copy protection, but to protect themselves walmart has to look for "Well taken photos" that could be profited from. Those walmart can get sued over. Basically.

[grendel1013]

BTW, if you take pictures off the internet ( Like using google images)that you did not take yourself or did not get written permission to use, it is considered a professional photograph. Even if you cut and paste or edit the original, it's not legally your photo and you can get sued for it.

[grendel1013]

Walmart follows copyright laws like everyone else.

such as....

1) Walmart can get sued by the photographer is a customer made copies of their work and employees developed them. If the photo looks professional they have to be safe. Sign the stupid release form and grow up.

2) Any video game, CD, PC software, or DvD can not be returned if opened. It's a copyright law, they can get sued for it.

If you have problems with these laws then take it up with the Feds.

[ripsnorting13]

Ok working at Walmart people like u really get me angry. First of all it is stated on the Kodak machines, and all over the place if "something look professional or is professional we need a copywright release." Cant you get that through your head? And wtf do you mean "I got the sense that it wasn't about copyright law" why would we refuse to give them then?

[sadbone]

What I don't understand is how do Walmart employees know copyright law so well? Leaving legal decisions up to a cashier to determine what gets copied or not is wreckless on Walmart's part. I had a situation tonight. I produced written permission from the copyright holders, but how are they sure that those are indeed the holders? How do they know if they are photos in Public Domain or not? How do they know if the artist or commissioner of the photo holds the copyright? They don't!

[ripsnorting13]

First of all the cashier for photolab is not fixed. Anyone there can check you out. The "LEGAL" decision is made by the gov. so take it up with them. As far as knowing if the release is real or not, thats not their issue. They want it so they are safe from any legal troubles. So if you produced a fake release, your in trouble, not them. And if you are the artist or photographer then you automatically have the rights to it. Its a 25k fine if your break the copyright law. Just so you know.

[sadbone]

The way that Walmarts policy is stated "appears professional", leaves it open for debate. While I was there, there was a woman making wedding photos in 8 1/2 x 11. This is infringing upon the photographer that took the pics. Even though she probably paid for the photos, she should've been made to sign a release because the photographer probably holds the copyright, correct? She didn't. This is my gripe. The policy is too subjective and not followed for all.

[sadbone]

One more thing, copyright law is very clear. Walmarts policy is not. That is the issue that the video addresses.  In my opinion, Walmart has a case against this photoshopped pic. However, as I said before, maybe that pic was a stock photo in public domain. Should this guy be hassled if that is, indeed, the case? See the issue? Too much grey area.

[ripsnorting13]

Right, but we dont know that. And walmart requires all employees in the Photolab to sign a statement saying that you will question any professional or professional looking pictures and get a copyright release. If they dont, well pretty much what they tell you is that your on your own to deal with the legal mess. I believe thats why we are so defensive about it. I agree, the policy is messy, but we just work there and do what we are told. We are just trying to cover ourselves. Thats all.

[yourevilmonk]

@sadbone If they can get legal permission from either the copyright owner or a federal judge then they can print the pictures in question. Simple as that. Though going through federal court for copyright approval could be quite rough and aggravating

[juiicyizzle]

i too work for walmart photo center and when i coke across this situation i usually determine if the picture is professional or not just by doing the visual check. and i always ask where the picture was taken it could have been at a friends house or anything in that category. i also look at the back of the picture for information relating to the picture. if it turns out to be professional after all i explain walmart policy and determine an outcome and what should be done.

[redneckboy6983]

you should have showed what u were trying to reproduce, so we can have a better understanding of who was right, actually walmart always rights, their machine, their business.

[ian1guy]

YOU sir, are a moron. IT IS A FELONY TO GIVE YOU THOSE COPYWRITTEN PHOTOS. i also work for the walmart photo lab. now i can speak out to a customer. YOU ARE A MORON!!!

[deathmunkee]

It's a shitty fucking picture anyways. who cares.

[Freeze1996]

People need to understand that wal mart forces this policy and the employess are just doing their job by following them. Their is no reason to be rude to them, If you don`t like it go somewhere else to print your photos. Easy as that.

[jeckelbro24]

Wow! I work in a Wal-mart lab and I LOVE people like you! The know it alls. Who come to Wal-mart and know they are doing wrong and still think they can break the law, by making a scene thinking we will just back down and let u do it because u r upset about not being able to do you illegal prints! Listen I dont like it either! But it the law! I am not losing my job for NO fucking picture or document got it! Law or not its my job!! So grow up, move out ur moms house and get a life!

[hcaulfield77]

if you would like to fund my move out of the country, i would be more than happy to accept.

[hcaulfield77]

looks like you went to wal-mart looking for a fight in the first place, seeing as though you came prepared to videotape all of this. and your argument that "uh i dont have a color printer at home" doesnt sound convincing in the least. go spread your right wing propaganda bullshit elsewhere. America isnt the greatest country in the world and I would absolutely leave it if i had the means to do so. since i do not, i am stuck here in this shithole. people like you need to wake up and realize that.

[Bryantcreech1]

lol come to my walmart i let people copy proff pictures all the time, i dont really give a shit about that rule.

[yourevilmonk]

@Bryantcreech1 You should care its your job. Plus I'm not sure if they can, but walmart could sue you.

[omnifabulous]

no - seriously - do you really have nothing else better to do than fuck with us lab technicians?

you are such a loser!

[sensfan22]

Wat a fuckin loser!! I love how the document she's supposedly reading says Copyright Policy and You and has the Wal-Mart name on the top. Just coz the company u work for tells u somethin doesnt make it true. U no how many times the company I worked for gave me some bullshit. Man ur so gullible. And u r right bout photoshoping u arent allowed. But thats only if u distribute it. U r allowed for personal use. But then again I live in Canada, I know the states have some fucked up laws

[MyNameIsDerek85]

Well, photo lab technicians have a job with strict rules to follow and don't want to take the chance of receiving termination along with a $20,000 fine. Why is it so hard for people to comprehend? If you have an issue with the company policy and/or the federal laws, then take it up with someone else. It's NOT the employee's that you want to bitch about.

[Wolfy101]

I had the same experience at Wal-Mart. They must send all the employees to a some brain washing seminar. Now they are ALL experts in Federal Law? I smell a Dateline episode comming on. They all need to be EXPOSED!

[sonac04]

Brainwashing PLEASE. Its common sense. If your picture is in question. walmart reserves the right not to sell it to you. If you would actualy read the copyright policy there are many ways around it. Walmart is jsut covering there ass from stupid people who cant read.

[barthar1]

I understand policy, and the federal law, but they take it way too far....just an attempt to seem important. Should've gone to CVS to print my pictures in the first place, just thought they would be more inexpensive at WalMart!

[sonac04]

CVS and Walgreens have copyright policies too... If they are doing there job they will question all "questionable" prints. If ANYTHING looks professional, marked or not, retailers have the right to turn the sale down. If its really that big of a deal buy a photoprinter and print your own shit.

[barthar1]

And they still wouldn't sell them to us without written approval from her. I called her and she thought it was ridiculus! What happened to customer service and giving the customer the benefit of the doubt.  I couldn't even believe it because I am an honest, hard working individual who works pharmacy retail.

[theepicsack]

I work in a walmart photo lab and we deal with very dishonest people every day. To protect us from getting fired or being fined, we have to take the copyright rules seriously. If you just brought in the written permission they would have printed your stuff and you would have been all set.

[barthar1]

I just tried to get my engagement photos from WalMart and the girl wouldn't sell them to me. A school teacher with a very nice camera did them for my fiance and I for free and she is a great photographer. I tried to explain they are just pictures of us and not a professional document I stole from her (they are unstamped), but rather that she gave us as a gift for our wedding.

[sonac04]

Talk about copyright. Did you realize that Wal-Mart is a registered trademark of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.? Hopefully, you recieved written consent from Wal-Mart stores, Inc. to video tape their associates on their property having this discussion with you. Also, be careful about attacking the patriotism of a Retail giant that has a lot more lawyers than you could possibly hope to obtain.

[Wolfy101]

Does Walmart ask ME permission to video tape me on their property? That has no relavance.

Poor arguement.

[sonac04]

They dont need your permission. Its privte property. They can film what ever they want and you give them permission by walking through there doors. Walmart assoicates dont have to sell anything to you. if they feel it is copyright it is up to you to provide evidence. Period. Go anywhere else and they will tel you the same thing.

[Aboleene]

There is no arguing with Walmart photo dept. employees. They are superior in intelligence to everyone. I mean, how else could they land such a sweet ass job?

[bavalova]

Well, I never looked at it that way.. haha.. I guess you're right

[124exp]

What are you guys talking about? The guy made the pictures in Photoshop! If you have any basic knowledge of it, you can do a lot of editing with that said program. ACLU does not have to be a picture. Believe it or not, you can actually write letters and words with photoshop.

[aprils1017]

Hi, I work at Wal-Mart in the Photo Center, the emblems and flags are what are copyrighted. The way we ask our customers is, "Did you take that picture with your camera? Do you have a negative or is it on your memory card?" If you say no then you can't have it. That's how we do it. If that girl would've sold those to you she'd lose her job on the spot. It's a serious law!! Our machines are made for your snapshots only!!!!!!!!

[bavalova]

HAHA Flags are copyright? Holy shit! Well I'm gonna go to every kindergarten in my county and citizen arrest every teacher that posts pictures kids drew of American flags.. Flags are not copyright genius.

[wrp1981]

your a retard, print your shit on your computer who gives a shit, stop bugging hourly employee's and then talking shit about the company, your a retard sir

[bavalova]

Well, I live in California and I was on business in New York state.. How, sir, do you suggest I "print [my] shit on [my] computer?" Last I checked, my laptop didn't come with a printer. So I'm sorry, Sir, but you are the retard.

[wrp1981]

your making a big deal outta nothing, if they dont want to print your shitty looking picture, go somewhere else that will print out your shitty picture

[bavalova]

Hmm.. Brilliant discourse. Yeah I'll do that.. But for now, throw your Che Guevara t-shirt in the wash because it's starting to smell.

[thedebut10]

Walmart doesn't have to give you any pictures that are questionable to them. If they even look professional and you have "originals" with you, they still don't have to do it. It tells you all this on the screen where you print your pictures so i have no idea how you had never seen it anywhere. Lame.  They don't care what your pictures are of, it's not worth losing their jobs.

[finalfant111]

I tottally agree with you, I don't want to lose my job there, it may be wal-mart, but in the photo lab, I get paid $10 an hour, so anyone that disses us, they can kiss my $400 a weeks ass, LOL

[13Vman]

Most of the stuff in their store is produced by Chinese companies running Pirated WindowsXP from stolen chips.

[bavalova]

Somehow I wouldn't doubt it. I try to shop there as little as possible.. Not because of the stupid bullshit reason given by Democrats about minimum wage, but because they support the Chinese government through providing them business. I may be a free-market capitalist but that's exploitation.

[lilomar2525]

No, that's capitalism. Plain and simple. Wal-Mart and other giant corporations are the epitome of capitalism. Don't profess to be something you don't understand. By the way, Stalin was a state-capitalist, and Castro is a Fascist. They both claimed to be Socialist to get the sympathy of real Socialists, It worked and it turned the "Free World" (read: corporate America and her cronies) against Socialism.

[savecie]

controverse... americans love it!

[fattychunks]

stupid comment limit... ne ways. Fidel Castro or Joseph Stalin? wow... lol yer relly reaching fer insults, sally. try harder plz.

[bavalova]

Yeah, I bet if they were pictures of your buddy Fidel Castro or Joseph Stalin you would've made a series out of it. Don't like it? Go somewhere else. I don't really care. The 10 minutes it took to put this together was well worth now, I think. Are you gonna rally the Party soon?

[fattychunks]

and if i dont like it view someone else's video? you cant actually make me view someone else's BUT if i find someone more sad then you i'll watch their vide too then. hope that makes you feel better.

[fattychunks]

i got me an idea-er there jimmy! lets go down to taht there walmart and tape these employees there cuz they pissed me off so i'm gonna tape them and make myself look like i have a bigger dick then them. yee-haw!

[fattychunks]

it doesnt matter to me that you had other photos, bud. the fact that somehow this was so painful to you that you had to make a blog about it is what's blowing my fucking mind. i mean it's downright pathetic as hell.

[bavalova]

What are you, their lawyer? If you don't like it, view someone else's content. It's cute that you're standing up for your fellow Walmart photo buddies, but since you obviously don't see the point of this I don't care to get into it with you.

[zacharydowell]

Did you ask those girls if you could video tape them?

[fraganncoulter]

A good point to ask. The ACLU should sue this A-hole on behalf of the girls

[fattychunks]

i meant, then print it off if it gets you off, oops. why would you expect people to give you all yer prints then when you knew you had prints that were questionable...

[bavalova]

I cannot believe I'm legitimizing your comments by answering them but for some reason I'm just compelled today to do so.

If I were at my home in California I would do so. I don't go out of my way to deal with Walmart Employees. Unfortunately I'm in New York, roughly 3000 miles away from my faithful Canon printer.

Also, as I wrote twice already, I wasn't arguing with them about the ones which were questionable. It says that. Read. It's simple.

[fattychunks]

then print it with an ink cartridge if you it gets you off. quit giving people who hate their job a hard time. you're at a walmart.

[bavalova]

First of all, if you read my original comment on the post, it says that there were a couple I wasn't arguing about. But of course, that would require reading, something apparently you aren't capable of.

Secondly, Clipart isnt copyright. Microsoft would not provide these images in their office software if they couldn't be legally distributed. Just type in the word "Eagle" on your office suite and I guarentee you that you'll find more eagle pics than you can print with one ink cartridge.

[fattychunks]

yer being sat on by 2 fat guys now. how's it feel huh??

[zacharydowell]

I use to hate having to tell people they couldn't have their prints. But its people like you that have made me lose that little bit of compassion i have for this issue.

[fattychunks]

oops also wanted to say that she obviously trying to be nice to you and just doing her job. amazes me how people fight over such small shit... but THIS? this really takes the fuckin cake... making a blog... about a picture...

[fattychunks]

you made a blog about this?? why the fuck did you make a big deal about it dude... do you realize those people prolly dont want to be working there? yer at a walmart.

[zacharydowell]

did you take the picture of the eagle that you used? then that was a copyrighted image. And it is a law! thank you. I wouldn't have given them to you either!

[1tinsoldier]

I'm afraid this was a clear case of CYA. Great footage and well presented!

[bavalova]

Thanks

[zacharydowell]

it would have been so much easier to give you the damn picture then to argue with you...its not worth losing their jobs so you can print that, buy some ink and print it at home.