Hi Bob

-> > I agree, but I feel I have more control selling a print than a digital
-> > file.
-> 
-> If you restrict it to selling a print there's no difference called for,
-> methinks.

There would be no print involved, which is just the point I'm trying to
make. Selling a digital file is not the same as selling a print.
-> 
-> Selling an original (or copy) of a digital file is equivalent in my view to
-> selling negatives from conventional cameras. 

Well, it would be closer to selling a negative.  They could manipulate it
anyway they wanted then, right?  But I'd still have the original file here,
and available for other things, whereas with a negative, it would be gone.

-> Sometimes I've sold only the film and didn't even develop it, first, on
-> assignment for some of the major magazines.  Just shoot the event they wish
-> covered and put the raw film on the next flight direct to their publication.

That's how I did newspaper work.  They gave me the film, and I only ever
saw what they printed in the paper.  I sure couldn't learn from mistakes
that way!
These days lots of people around here do weddings like that, and leave it
up to the couple to decide which ones are worth taking to a special lab.

-> While this isn't a normal situation by any means it does indicate that
-> dealing with the film or negatives is a different animal from the sale of
-> prints, which the customer usually receives.

Yep, but with all the digital cameras around, this will be more the norm in
the future, probably.
-> 
-> I figured you were merely contemplating the difference between having to pay
-> for film and processing in order to deliver a print to the buyer. 

Nope.  I have that down to a science by now  :)

 -> As I understand it, if you deliver that customer a print from a digital
-> camera's origin they are entitled to use it in the same manner as those from
-> conventional sources, no more and no less.

Hmmmm....selling someone a negative doesn't mean they would necessarily
come up with what I'd consider the ideal print either, so I suppose selling
a digital file is a lot like that.  It's what they do with it once they get
it and whether or not I would want my name attached at that point. 
Something new to think about, for sure.
 
  In so many words, a customer
-> would have to be willing to pay the equivalent value for a file as for a
-> negative, and it is up to you to set its value.  I'd feel presumptuous to
-> offer a suggestion there so about all I can tell you is that 10 times the
-> value of a print is a general idea of a starting place.

I can live with that :)

-> At the rate your work is attracting
-> people with purchase offers I'd think it to be money well spent to get a
-> legal foundation, first, and then stick to it. 
-> 
Any hobby that suddenly becomes a job ceases to be fun.  I wish people
would just let me play in peace!

Karen
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