Wal-Mart Photo Copyright Policy
Posted November 17th, 2008 @ 05:38pm by Erik J. Barzeski
You know those photos I took of the girls in the "professional" studio (i.e. the playroom/craft room in our house)? Wal-Mart apparently thought they were "professional" enough that they had me sign a copyright form attesting to the fact that, indeed, I took the pictures.
Their copyright policy states:
In addition, we will not copy a photograph that appears to have been taken by a professional photographer or studio, even if it is not marked with any sort of copyright, unless we are presented with a signed Copyright Release from the photographer or studio.
Funny. I was somewhat displeased with the photos (too many girls wore black, the same color as the background I chose), and here Wal-Mart thought I was trying to print pictures taken by an actual photographer. 
Anyway, just a heads up if you ever take "studio" type shots in your home. Most professional photographers don't use Wal-Mart for their processing and printing, after all.
P.S. Save yourself time: download and fill out this PDF before going into the store.
Donate Life
Posted 18 Nov 2008 at 1:09pm #
Same thing happened to me, but at Sam's Club (same Walmart parent). I was printing some family portraits I took of friends and received a call alluded to the same message you got.
At first I was a little shocked, but after talking to the photo tech, I felt much better about their policy. She said it was up to their discretion whether to print what they deem as "professional".
I actually like that someone would be looking out for copyright infringement and a phone call seemed more than appropriate to validate.
My guess is a lot more semi-professional types use Walmart than you'd think - bare bones pricing and decent quality are a pretty good sell.
Cheers for the link.
Posted 18 Nov 2008 at 5:49pm #
I'm cool with it too.
Of course, that's "until it trips me up" at some point. If they ever tell me I can't print one of my photos or there's a delay some time, then I won't be so happy about it.
Posted 20 Nov 2008 at 12:40pm #
Funny. I've heard the same story from others up your way. Down in the Carolinas I've never had that problem. I just printed these without incident which means either a) my pictures suck compared to yours or b) people are generally more lazy down here or c) Walgreens doesn't give a $hit.
I'm thinking it's a combination of a & b.
Posted 16 Dec 2008 at 11:42pm #
Erik J. Barzeski said on November 18, 2008:
Stumbled on your website and had to comment...
I was fine with the policy too until they told me that I could not print at their store any more because my pictures were too good! And because I didn't have a business license that there was no way to prove I was good enough to take the pictures, so I could no longer print pictures in their store again...
I offered to bring my camera and memory card in, but they said that wouldn't be good enough for them... Freakin' nuts!
Posted 06 Jan 2009 at 6:35pm #
Although this note was posted few weeks ago I would like to comment after I learned that I'm not alone in this situation. I am currently facing the same problem - not with Wal-Mart but with Sam's Club in Raleigh, NC.
I took some pictures of my daughter and nieces and they are not releasing them to me because "they look professional". The only option I was given was to bring the copyright release from the photographer, but not from me!!! (I wasn't even offered the waiver posted in this note). I asked them to check the Exif information where the copyright is under my name, but they wouldn't do it!
Now I am planning to go tomorrow with a copy of the form from this post. Hopefully I'll be able to get the pictures!! Thanks for this post.
Posted 11 Jan 2009 at 8:42pm #
If you can prove that you took the picture, then Yes, Wal-mart will sell you the pictures. Without proof that you indeed took the picture or if you had it done at a studio or by a photographer you would need a copyright release stating that you may copy the picture or reproduce them. I work at a Wal-Mart photo center and it's not that I'm on a power trip or that I'm anti-good picture. It's the fact that I'm DOING MY JOB. Wal-mart sets policies and we as employees have to follow these policies. It’s just like any other job. You have rules, policies that you have to follow and I and like others, follow these policies. For me personally, I don’t care. I’d let people copy the pictures. I understand, but it’s just that I can’t. If we get caught selling a copyright picture you lose your jobs, have to pay a huge fine and last but not least spend time in JAIL!!! I just had a baby and she’s 3 months old, I’m behind on my bills so yeah here’s my point. I’m not ready to give up my freedom nor the time to see my daughter. I don’t have the money to pay a fine, so get over it!! And Yeah I don’t make 8$ an hour. I make more!!!!
Posted 12 Jan 2009 at 4:59pm #
Emily said on January 11, 2009:
I don't think anyone had a problem with the policy itself... It is the fact that even when I offered to sign the photo release since I am the one who took the photo, they told me, no, that it looks too good, it must be a licensed professional...
My problem is when some employees don't even know or understand the entire policy, and just try to enforce part of it without regard to the customer... I was even told by the Photo center manager that I was no longer welcome to print pictures at her Photo Center again! It wasn't until we brought the Store Manager in, who would actually read the entire policy that I received an apology and an explanation that I would need to sign the form again if there was ever a question...
I don't mind signing a form, but to just say, no, we won't print your pictures is not exactly good customer service...
Posted 17 Feb 2009 at 3:38pm #
Here's yet another twist on Wal-Mart's policy. I have become the keeper of many family photographs over the last several decades. Many are from the late 1800's and some from the 1920s and 1930s. We all know that there is no way to uncover who actually took these photographs (nothing on the back of the picture), yet they are definitely professionally done.
What am I to do? Family members have asked for copies of historical photographs of our long deceased family members. Wal-Mart allowed me to copy some, but the last time I went in with a grade school photograph of my long deceased uncle (photo from around 1930), I was told that they could not sell the copy to me.
Any ideas for dealing with this? I have a scanner here at home, but I needed quite a few prints and it's not economically viable to copy this many photographs.
Posted 21 Feb 2009 at 8:05pm #
I met a lady today at our local WalMart who was trying to copy a family picture for her children and grandchildren.
The family portrait was taken in 1876~~!!!
The WalMart photo dept. would not allow her to make copies because of "copyright infringement". There were no copyright laws in 1876.
And, how the heck would you get "permission" from the photographer after 140 years????
Geesh!
Posted 17 May 2009 at 2:59am #
I wondered the same thing. According to copy rights for photographs. The copy right is good for the life of the photographer plus 70 years.
Posted 04 Apr 2009 at 9:34pm #
What does Walmart do with the photos that they think are copyrighted?How long do they keep the photo before they get rid of them?I was unaware of their policy and when I went to our local Walmart I took photos with me and copied them from the Kodak machine,they did print for me but,when I went to pay for them,the lady stated I needed a release form.I told her I was unaware of that because I didn't understand their policy because of my diability,she just told me I needed a statement from the original photographer.I apologized to her and she stated that was okay.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You!
Posted 01 May 2009 at 1:29pm #
Thank you for the pdf form!! I printed it, called walmart back and got my photos!!
Posted 02 Jun 2009 at 7:54pm #
same issue,my parents passed years ago and ive been on the hunt for family pics from my aunts and uncles,so i wanted to make copies of them they were taken in 1985 ,and there is no wrighting on the back of them saying if they are copy wrighted.......walgreens wouldnt let me buy them...saying i need a letter of aproval from the photogifer........if i dont know who took them how do i get aproval.....my aunt thinks we took them at kmart she not sure....