ddb@mrvax.DEC (DAVID DYER-BENNET MRO1-2/L14 DTN 231-4076) (08/20/84)
Publishing recognizable nude photos of somebody without proper permission
(an acceptable model release) is one of the ultimate forms of photographic
suicide, at least according to all my references (as a photographer I have
a moderate collection of references on the legal aspects of what I do).
If Ms. Williams really didn't sign a release authorizing such use of the
photos, then I would expect her to be sueing the bastards, rather than
complaining; if she really didn't sign a release, she has them cold and
can recover LOTS of punitive damages.
I've heard various rumblings around the edges of this discussion that she
signed a full release while trusting the photographer not to make certain
uses of the photos; if so, she has a problem, but she created it herself.
Incidentally, the usual forms of a release for nude photos sound incredibly
strong. They have to be, because of the general attitude towards nudes
in this society (I make no value judgement at this time).
The one simple addition of an expiration date in a release is something I
haven't seen suggested elsewhere. It sounds like a good idea, and I will
implement it if I ever ask somebody for a release for nudes or something
that they might change their minds about later.
-- David Dyer-Benneet
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