Currently, images on www.wsr.org.uk are reduced in size, typically to 512px on the longest side. Picture of the Week images are slightly bigger at 640px maximum. Most published images are accompanied by a copyright statement eg (c) Fred Bloggs
From time to time, images on www.wsr.org.uk have been copied and re-used. Sometimes all parties are happy with this; at other times, it can create some difficulties.
The small size of the images tend to restrict re-use to web pages, blogs, discussion groups and the like. They are not usually suitable for paper publishing or for high quality PDF publishing, although in desperation, it has been known to happen.
The wording on www.wsr.org.uk confirms the copyright remains with the photographer. A condition of supply to www.wsr.org.uk is that the image can be (re)used by the WSR Plc, WSRA and WSSRT in any promotional material produced by those organisations, on sister websites run by those organisations, and to accompany official press releases issued by those organisations. Currently, I do ask that an acknowledgement is provided next to the re-used image, but clearly as re-use gets further away from the source it is difficult to ensure such acknowledgements.
I recognise the re-use issue has some grey areas and I would like to improve the situation. One of the better solutions already in place can be seen on www.geograph.org.uk and it would seem to be suitable for www.wsr.org.uk
I have looked at the Creative Commons licencing http://creativecommons.org/ and I'd welcome your views on whether each image (but not thumbnail images) on www.wsr.org.uk should be subject to such licencing.
I know people can always make illegal use of images regardless what we do, but, with a clear message on the web page with each image, at least some measure of statement would be in place.
Feedback from contributors has been very helpful and I may soon introduce, for new works, at this licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
