Recently, an event that shocked the world was staged in United States: former President Donald · Trump were shot. This sudden incident not only sparked a wide political discussion, but also caused waves in the media circle. In particular, the dissemination of a group of on-site photos not only recorded this historic moment, but also became the focus of public opinion because of its unique visual impact. However, the use of these photos in the domestic media has sparked a controversy over copyright ownership, once again pushing Visual China to the forefront.
**Thrilling moments, captured by the Pulitzer winner's lens**
The heated photographs, in which Mr. Trump raised his fist and blood running down his ears, are dramatic and symbolic. These precious images were created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and veteran Associated Press photojournalist Evan ·. With his keen professional sense and superb photographic skills, Wu Qi captured this thrilling moment at the last moment, not only documenting history, but also once again demonstrating the power of photojournalism.
**Copyright dispute, Visual China is caught in the whirlpool again**
When the photos went viral around the world, an interesting phenomenon caught people's attention: many domestic media outlets used the photos to label them as Visual China, not the Associated Press or Evan · Wuqi himself. This detail immediately raises questions about the ownership of the photo's copyright.
As a well-known image copyright trading platform in China, Visual China's copyright management has always been the focus of attention in the industry. Interestingly, these high-profile photos are not displayed on Visual China's public website, but are placed on a platform called CFP, which is only accessible to its partner clients.
In the face of skepticism, Visual China's response was somewhat vague. Its customer service staff said that due to the sensitive content of the photos, they are only available on certain platforms. When asked whether the photos were licensed directly from Evan · Wuqi, or whether Wuqi himself contributed to Visual China, Visual China did not give a clear answer, only emphasizing that all images on its platform come from legal sources and have legal rights to publish and charge.
**Pricing Strategy & Scope of Authorization**
Visual China also revealed the exact price of the photos. For example, if it is used for social media pictures for self-media articles, the price of a single picture is 2,100 yuan, and one purchase can be used on multiple platforms. However, Visual China has made it clear that they only authorize the copyright use rights of the images, and the authorization of portrait rights and property rights needs to be resolved by the users themselves. This complex authorization mechanism undoubtedly increases the risk and cost for users.
**Visual China's Copyright Dilemma**
In fact, this is not the first time Visual China has been embroiled in copyright disputes. As early as 2019, the company was penalized for mishandling the copyright issues of images such as the national flag and national emblem. More strikingly, last year's case against Visual China for illegally selling his work is still ongoing.
At the heart of Dai Jianfeng's case is the question of whether Visual China actually has the right to sell his work. Visual China claimed to have obtained the right to sell through a series of licensing chains, but Dai insisted that this was an infringement. This controversy not only exposes the loopholes in Visual China's copyright management, but also highlights the complexity of the current image rights trading market.
**Deep Reflection: Challenges and Opportunities of Copyright Management**
The case of Visual China provokes us to think about the challenges faced by copyright management in the digital age. In today's highly circulating information, how to find a balance between protecting the rights and interests of creators and promoting the dissemination of information has become an urgent problem to be solved.
1. Complexity of the copyright chain: Visual China claims to obtain the right to use images through multiple layers of licensing, but this complex licensing chain is prone to disputes. How to simplify the licensing process while ensuring the rights and interests of all parties is a problem that copyright management platforms need to consider.
2. Combination of technology and management: In the digital age, it is difficult to deal with the copyright problem of massive images by relying only on traditional management models. How to use new technologies such as blockchain to improve the transparency and efficiency of copyright management is worth exploring in the industry.
3. Improvement of laws and regulations: The existing copyright legal system is often inadequate in the face of a rapidly changing digital environment. How to update and improve the relevant regulations to provide clearer legal guidance for copyright transactions is an issue that legislators need to consider.
4. Raising user awareness: Many copyright disputes stem from users' neglect of copyright. How to raise the public's awareness of copyright and make respect for intellectual property rights a universal consensus is a long-term social project.
5. Innovation in business models: The traditional copyright buying and selling model is facing challenges in the Internet era. How to innovate business models to protect the interests of creators and meet the needs of users is the key to the sustainable development of copyright platforms.
The copyright controversy over the photos of Trump's attack may seem like a small episode, but it is actually a reflection of the many challenges facing rights management in today's digital age. It reminds us that while enjoying the convenience brought by the high flow of information, we should also pay more attention to the protection of intellectual property rights. Only by establishing a fair, transparent and efficient copyright management system can we truly stimulate the enthusiasm of creators and promote the healthy development of cultural and creative industries.
For Visual China, this controversy is both a challenge and an opportunity. If we can take this opportunity to improve our copyright management mechanism, improve transparency and enhance user trust, we may be able to win new development space in the fierce market competition. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the entire industry to reflect and progress, which is expected to promote China's copyright protection to a new level.