Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Maine

Recently, a very large chicken barn (60,000sq ft) burned to the ground behind my house, killing all 70,000 chickens inside. I was the only photographer on the scene, so I have 'exclusive' pictures (and lots of them).

Now I learn that the insurance company investigating the fire wants my pictures for their investigation. This was NOT my barn, and the outcome of their investigation has no bearing on me in any way.

Do they have any rights to my pictures? I would love to charge them for them, since they are my pictures, and I am the copyright holder.


Asked on 2/07/10, 10:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elliott Teel Teel Law Office

If there is a legal proceeding, they can subpoena you and request access to the photos for inspection and copying. Since they would not be using the photos for any commercial purpose, they would be able to use them for their case. But if they need your photos now for the investigation, it may be worth it for them to pay you for them.

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Answered on 2/12/10, 10:47 am


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