Richard Perry said in a message to Lawrence Garvin:
 RP> How can you assume "every" image has a copyright associated with
 RP> it?
Because the United States Copyright Law says so! :)
 RP> I've seen many images posted by amateur photographers and I'm sure 
 RP> they didn't get any official copyright from the government.
You don't have to get an "official" copyright from the government. The 
copyright exists from the moment the first print is developed.
(Some might suggest that it exists from the moment the shutter is snapped, 
but I'd counter that the negative film in the camera is NOT a "fixed form", 
since a bit of sunlight can destroy the image permanently.
 RP> Are you speaking of some informal/implied copyright, perhaps?
Yep. SOP since 1986.
LG>What you want to look for is those images which have indicate that
  >DISTRIBUTION of the image is permitted.
 RP> I have NEVER seen an image that explicitly says that anywhere on
 RP> the photo.
Would you like me to send you a couple hundred megs? :)
lawrence@eforest.houston.tx.us 
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