Copyright is most often infringed simply because it is misunderstood. Therefore, I have added this page to my site to help others understand why we have copyrights and how we utilize them. Thanks for taking the time to review my copyright policy.

It is illegal to scan, copy, or reproduce in any way a professional copyright image. I typically allow school children to use my images in their reports and I try to allow other uses of this type as well. Please contact me with any questions. Still, I am a freelance photographer and make my living selling photos. In order to buy film and equipment, and survive I have to earn an income like everyone else.  My business is SELLING photography and I certainly appreciate your understanding. Possession of one of my photos or electronic images does NOT constitute the right to scan, copy, or reproduce it in any way without the expressed written consent of Brian Osterday.

Some quick tips about copyright:

* Photographs are copyrighted the moment they are taken, and no copyright notice is required.

* Postings to the Internet are not granted to the public domain, and such postings don't grant any permission to do further copying.

* The "fair use" exemption to U.S. copyright law was created to allow things such as commentary, parody, news reporting, research and education about copyrighted works without the permission of the author, anything outside of those areas is considered a violation.

* Copyright is not lost because you don't defend it; that's a concept from trademark law.

* Work derived from a copyrighted work is a copyright violation. A derivative is defined as any form of changing an original copyright piece, i.e. lighten/darken, crop, rotate, filter, combine with other images, etc. still a violation.

* Copyright law is mostly civil law where the special rights of criminal defendants you hear so much about don't apply. However, recently in the USA commercial copyright violation involving more than 10 copies and value over $2500 was considered a felony.

All Photographs are by Brian Osterday unless otherwise stated. All of the photographs are copyright-protected and have been watermarked. Their dispalay here in no way implies consent for any form of distribution or reuse. The business, Wildlife Minnesota, the store, and this website are owned by Brian Osterday. Website layout and design by Ashton Osterday.  Website layout, design, and banner are copyright of Ashton Osterday.

All photos are for your viewing enjoyment, but may not be used or published elsewhere without the permission of Brian Osterday.