You’ve decided to sell your waterfront property in Fort Lauderdale. To make the home look as appealing as possible online, you’ve engaged a photographer friend to take some beautifully-staged indoor photos. Now all you need is an equally spectacular sunrise picture that no aspiring homeowner will be able to resist.
Since you’re not a morning person (or a photographer, for that matter), you decide to see what’s available on Google. A search for ‘Fort Lauderdale sunrise photos’ yields so many breathtaking options that you don’t know which one to choose for your listing.
We’ll make it easy for you: don’t use any of them. If you do, you just might hear from a lawyer representing the party that took the photo. Copyright infringement cases are pursued in federal court, which means you might end up spending a significant amount of your home’s sale price defending yourself and, very likely, paying damages to the photographer. It’s a difficult way to learn that just because a photo is online doesn’t mean it’s free to use.
Controversy Over Online Content
In the 20 years since Napster alerted content providers to copyright infringement activity on the Internet, users are still copying content they don’t own, although few have malicious intent. As a result of the continuing infringement, the number of content owners, attorneys, and paid services that target violators has steadily increased. The posting of a photo which you don’t own on a social media site may make you a target if you are promoting a business or a profitable transaction like a house sale.
Taking Your Own Photos Always Works
If you have some time and a good quality camera (5 megapixels or higher is recommended), you can take your own photos. Stage your home first: make sure it’s clean, clutter-free, and complemented by accents like fresh flowers. Use as much natural lighting as possible and shoot from a doorway or corner to get as much of the room in the shot as you can.
If you’re selling through an agent, they may recommend hiring a professional photographer to get the best possible shots, or take the pictures themselves. In any event, you will have peace of mind knowing that you won’t be risking a lawsuit as you build out your home’s listing.
Questions About Selling Your Home in Florida?
When you’re preparing to sell your home in Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Plantation, or anywhere else in Florida, your best option is to speak to an experienced Florida real estate lawyer. The Salas Law Firm can protect your interests during the presale stages and provide the legal guidance you need to achieve a straightforward sale. To learn more about our services for Florida homeowners, contact our office at (954) 315-1155 today.
John Salas
