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Shiyo Kitei

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What is image licensing?

Photo Japan images are not "sold," per se, but rather licensed for use.  Per a contract, or licensing agreement, reproduction rights are released in exchange for a fee.  The terms and conditions of the licensing agreement dictate how, when and where the photo is reproduced and distributed.  This is known as "rights-managed" licensing.

"Royalty-free" licensing is also available for a select group of images (stock photo numbers with the "RF" prefix).  Royalty-free images are not "free" but have less restrictions than rights-managed images. Nevertheless, a licensing agreement outlining the usage is still required.  Royalty-free images are available for a flat fee based on the type of media in which they are used.  Click the Price tab above for rates.

Rights-Managed Image Licensing
Free low-resolution comp enlargements
Non-exclusive reproduction rights with worldwide distribution
Images for advertising, editorial, corporate, display and multi-media projects
Use of any image on our website, in the database or from our stock library (100,000 total)
High-resolution digital images: 300 ppi, Adobe RGB (1998) color in JPEG or TIFF formats
Competitive licensing fees
Images free of watermarks
Detailed photo captions
In-depth picture research (up to 20 images at no charge)
Royalty-Free Image Licensing

Free low-resolution comp enlargements
Non-exclusive reproduction rights with worldwide distribution

Images for advertising, editorial, corporate, display and multi-media projects

Use of any image with the stock number prefix "RF"

Multiple-use within same media type for a one-year term

Use of image by up to 10 employees of the same company (no sub-licensing)
High-resolution digital images: 300 ppi, sRGB color in JPEG format
Licensing fees based on media type
Images free of watermarks

See Royalty-Free Image Pricing

   
Reproduction Rights Released
Rights-managed images are typically licensed for reproduction on a per photo, per use basis. Full rights purchase or "buy out" is not available. For most projects photographs are released for limited use with one-time, non-exclusive rights. Rights-protected licensing is available for a premium fee with a maximum protection term of one year.  Depending on the image, first rights licensing is also available.  Reproduction rights released through rights-managed and royalty-free licensing are non-transferable. Sub-licensing is not permitted.
   
Photo Licensing Agreement

Photo buyers licensing images from Photo Japan are required to sign a Photo Licensing Agreement prior to receiving access to the high-resolution image files.  The licensing agreement may be signed electronically on-line or by pen in hard-copy form.

On-Line Agreement

Access to the on-line agreement is sent in an e-mail as a link.  This method not only saves time but also helps the environment by saving paper.  The first two steps of the agreement must be completed successfully before download access to the high-resolution image file is given.

Step #1: Licensing Agreement General Terms & Conditions (see details below)

Step #2: Project Specific Rights & Usage Details

Step #3: High-resolution Image Download Access

Hard-Copy Agreement

If your preference is to receive the Photo Licensing Agreement in hard-copy form, it can be faxed or posted in the mail.  Although this method guarantees you have a record copy, it could delay the delivery of the photo.  Access to the high-resolution image will be sent in an e-mail as soon as the paper agreement is returned.

   
General Terms and Conditions of the Rights-Managed Photo Licensing Agreement

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Photo buyers receiving high-resolution rights-managed images in exchange for payment of a license fee are required to accept the following terms and conditions of the Photo Licensing Agreement:
a) Digital Images and Destruction of Media: Preview images, whether downloaded from the website or sent as sample enlargements, may be used for in-house comp and layout purposes only. Watermarked or not, preview images are not intended for reproduction or public display.  High-resolution digital images downloaded as part of this agreement may not be copied to or stored on disk or distributed to other computers. Upon completion of the project, all digital images in your possession must be destroyed.

b) Second & Third Parties: Digital images may not be sold, rented, re-licensed, traded, e-mailed or given away free to a second party. Transfer or sale of Photo Japan image rights is strictly prohibited. Photo Japan images appearing on a product created by the licensee or its company, does not grant the third party the right to use the images for reproduction, publication, financial gain or self-promotion without a direct written agreement with Photo Japan.

c) Release of Rights: Image reproduction rights are released only upon acceptance of this licensing agreement and upon payment in full of the license fees within the time period noted on the Rights & Usage page of this agreement.  Rights released are specific to each image and its related project and are granted on the limited basis of this agreement. All rights and fees shall be agreed upon in advance of using or publishing the images. The licensee surrenders all rights to negotiate photo licensing fees should any image be published prior to the licensee's acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined under this Photo Licensing Agreement.

d) Image Modification: Photo Japan images may not be manipulated or altered in such a way as to render the image substantially unrecognizable from the original. Photo Japan images may be resized or cropped as needed. However, modifications other than cropping or resizing will require approval by Photo Japan.

e) Damage Liability:  Photo Japan images may not be used in a manner that is illegal or damaging to the reputation of Photo Japan or any other person's right to privacy. Photo Japan images may not be used in conjunction with obscene or pornographic material. Photo Japan shall not be held liable for damages occurring through misuse of its images. Photo Japan assumes no liability for consequential damages stemming from use of its images or the licensee’s inability to use the photos as originally agreed or intended.

f) Cancellation of Agreement: Photo Japan offers no guarantees for the use of its images. All fees must be paid in full once the images have been published. The licensee may, however, cancel this Photo Licensing Agreement even after it has been accepted, and even after high-resolution scans have been downloaded or delivered on disk, but prior to any image appearing in electronic media or in print, only if Photo Japan has been notified in writing within two weeks of the Photo Licensing Agreement acceptance date. An invoice will be sent for any tangible expenses accrued on the licensee's account up to the date when the cancellation notification is received. Written cancellation notification received by Photo Japan between two weeks and two months from the Photo Licensing Agreement acceptance date will carry a service charge equal to 50% of the invoice amount plus any tangible expenses. After two months, the full invoice amount will be due whether any image has been published or not. In all cases, the licensee must immediately return any photo disks in their possession and/or destroy all digital files. Photo Japan reserves the right to cancel the Photo Licensing Agreement should the photo license fees not be paid in full within 60 days. Cancellation of the agreement by Photo Japan rescinds all rights to reproduce the images released under the agreement.

g) Copyright: Photo Japan owns and retains all rights to the images licensed herein. All Photo Japan digital images are protected by copyright and may not be used for purposes other than those specifically outlined on the Rights & Usage page of this agreement.  Unauthorized use, reproduction, transmission, distribution or archiving of any image, or derivation thereof, is a violation of the United States and International Copyright Laws and will constitute copyright infringement.

h) Credit Lines and Record Copies: Published photographs shall receive proper photo credits unless indicated on the Rights & Usage page as, "None Given."  Unless directed otherwise the credit line shall read: Kenneth Hamm / Photo Japan. The credit line shall appear beside the printed image, on the same page as the printed image or on the photo credits acknowledgment page. A minimum of one (1) record copy of the finished product or (2) tear sheets of each page on which an image appears shall be provided to Photo Japan free of charge at the end of the project. For Internet usage, the photo buyer shall provide a URL address for each page on which an image appears.

i) Model and Property Releases: Model or property releases are not available for any persons or property portrayed in Photo Japan images. All photos have been taken in public places.  No models have been paid. Photo Japan assumes no liability for images used without a model release.

j) Image Access: Download access to high-resolution images is allowed only after acceptance by the licensee  of the Terms & Conditions and Rights & Usage pages of this Photo Licensing Agreement.  Permission to download high-resolution images is granted only to the licensee whose electronic signature appears at the bottom of the Rights & Usage page.

k) Payment of License Fees: License fees may be remitted by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card or non-corporate American Express card) via PayPal.com, company check, cashier's check, bank check, wire transfer (add US$38), E-check/direct deposit or money order. Checks received from international as well as domestic photo buyers must be drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars. The licensee shall be responsible for all local, state and/or national government taxes. No fees, taxes or other expenses shall be deducted from the base license fee by the licensee, photo buyer or its agents. Payment is due upon publication or within 30 days of date of the Photo Japan invoice, whichever occurs first. Accounts delinquent in payment, that is, not paid in full within sixty days of the invoice or publication date, a US$50 surcharge will be added to the license fee for each month (30-day term), or portion thereof, that passes beyond the initial sixty-day grace period.  For your accounting purposes, a Photo License Invoice in hard copy form will accompany all financial transactions.

Updated: May 2008

   
Special Requests
Several times each year a staff member makes a photo expedition to Japan to update stock. Your special request can be added to the itinerary at no extra cost. However, should the request entail out-of-the-way travel, costs beyond the ordinary or unexpected hardship, a fee will be charged to cover such expenses. Photographs taken while “on assignment” remain property of Photo Japan, even if the buyer contributes to expenses. All rights to the photos are reserved by Photo Japan and shall be licensed as if drawn from stock. Special requests are handled on a speculation basis only. Please contact Photo Japan for future travel dates.
     

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