What do I need to consider when I want to publish pictures of events on my website?
March 3, 2022 | 55,00 EUR | answered by Isabel Tressel
Dear Media Law Attorney,
I operate a website where I regularly report on various events and also publish pictures from these events. So far, I have always uploaded the pictures without any issues, but now I am concerned that I may be violating media law. I have heard that it is important to respect the privacy rights of the individuals depicted and possibly even obtain consent. Is that correct?
I am afraid that I may face legal consequences if I continue to publish pictures from events on my website without adhering to the necessary legal requirements. I do not want to get into legal trouble, so I would like to know exactly what I need to consider when publishing pictures from events on my website.
Can you please explain to me what legal requirements I need to adhere to when it comes to publishing pictures from events? Do I need to ask for permission from the individuals depicted or is it sufficient to obscure their identities? Are there any exceptions where I do not need to obtain consent?
Thank you in advance for your help and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Renata Weinert
Dear Mrs. Weinert,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the publication of images from events on your website and the associated legal requirements in media law. It is important to consider the personal rights of the individuals depicted in order to avoid potential legal consequences.
In general, you should obtain consent from the individuals depicted for the publication of images from events. This means that you must inform the individuals that you will be taking photos of them and would like to publish them on your website. Ideally, consent should be obtained in writing to have evidence in case of disputes.
There are exceptions where consent is not required. For example, if the individuals depicted are merely incidental to the image and are not the focus. In this case, it is considered as "insignificant portrayal of individuals", where the personal rights of the individuals are not violated.
If you obscure the individuals depicted, this is also a way to protect their personal rights. This can be done, for example, by pixelating or covering their faces.
It is also important to ensure that the publication of images from events does not infringe on the rights of third parties. This includes, for example, copyright in artworks or trademark rights in logos that may be visible in the images.
Overall, it is advisable to conduct a legal review before publishing images from events to ensure compliance with all necessary requirements. If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to consult a specialized media law attorney for advice.
I hope this information is helpful and answers your questions. If you need further assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Isabel Tressel
