In a new act dubbed the ‘Instagram Act’, professional photographers are facing losing the rights to their images if they are not properly copyrighted. After receiving the Royal Assent last week, the Act sets to ease the licensing of ‘orphan works’ – works under copyright where the owner cannot be identified, or where the copyright cannot be properly established – meaning that it will be easier for individuals and businesses to take photos and use them freely for their own gain. This is especially of concern in the case of online images which can be posted and reposted easily with no connection to the owner, making them very difficult to trace.

Many angered professional photographers are saying the act is stealing, while the government argues that the Act will promote innovation, design and the arts. We are siding with the photographers here. What the act encourages is completely wrong in all senses. Full legislation is yet to be finalised but this is something we will be keeping a close eye on in coming months!

You can see an e-petition voting against the Act here: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49422