COPYRIGHT & LICENSING POLICY

INTRODUCTION

Every photograph tells a story.

Every story deserves respect.

At AGAPOV & ARNO, we believe that photography is more than creating beautiful images—it is the creation of original artistic work protected by copyright law.

This Copyright & Image License Policy explains who owns the copyright in the photographs and other creative works we create, what rights are granted to our clients, how our work may be used, and when additional permission or licensing is required.

Our goal is not to restrict the enjoyment of your photographs, but to protect both our creative work and your investment by ensuring that images are used fairly, respectfully, and in accordance with applicable law.

This Policy applies to all photographs, videos, digital files, printed products, artwork, educational materials, creative concepts, designs, visual content, and any other original works created by Agapov Production, operating under the creative brand AGAPOV & ARNO, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

By booking our services, purchasing photographs or products, downloading digital files, receiving delivered photographs, or otherwise using our work, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted this Copyright & Licensing Policy.

 

1. COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP

Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in photographs, videos, artwork, creative concepts, layouts, graphics, educational materials, website content, branding elements, and all other original creative works produced by Agapov Production remain the exclusive property of Agapov Production.

AGAPOV & ARNO is the creative brand under which these works are created and distributed.

Purchasing photography services, digital files, albums, prints, wall art, or any other products does not transfer copyright ownership to the client.

Instead, clients receive a limited license to use the delivered photographs in accordance with this Policy and any applicable agreement.

All rights not expressly granted remain reserved by Agapov Production.

Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted as assigning, transferring, or waiving copyright unless such transfer is expressly agreed in writing and signed by both parties.

Where applicable, the photographer also retains all moral rights recognized under Swiss copyright law and other applicable legislation, including the right to be identified as the author of the work and the right to object to modifications that materially prejudice the integrity or reputation of the work.

Nothing in this Policy limits any rights or remedies available under applicable copyright or intellectual property law.

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2. TYPES OF LICENSES

Every photography project is different.

For this reason, AGAPOV & ARNO grants different types of image licenses depending on the nature of the project, the client, and the intended use of the photographs.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, every license granted under this Policy is non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable in the event of material breach of this Policy, and limited to the specific purposes described below.

Any rights not expressly granted remain reserved by Agapov Production.

The principal license categories include:

• Personal Use License

• Commercial License

• Editorial License

• Extended Commercial License

• Custom License (where individually agreed)

The applicable license will be determined by the booking agreement, quotation, invoice, or separate written contract.

 

3. PERSONAL USE LICENSE

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, private clients receive a Personal Use License for all delivered photographs.

This license allows clients to enjoy their photographs for private, personal, and non-commercial purposes.

Permitted uses include:

• downloading and storing photographs;

• creating personal backups;

• printing photographs for personal display;

• ordering albums, wall art, and personal keepsakes;

• sharing photographs privately with family and friends;

• publishing photographs on personal social media accounts;

• using photographs in private family announcements, invitations, or greeting cards;

• displaying photographs within the client's home.

The Personal Use License does not permit:

• commercial or business use;

• advertising or marketing;

• product promotion;

• resale or relicensing;

• use by third parties;

• use by employers or commercial organisations;

• publication by media without the appropriate license;

• use in competitions where commercial rights are transferred without our written consent.

The Personal Use License remains with the original client and may not be transferred or assigned to another person or organisation without prior written permission.

 

4. COMMERCIAL LICENSE

Commercial use requires a separate Commercial License unless expressly included in the original agreement.

Commercial use includes any use intended to promote, advertise, market, generate revenue, support a business activity, or otherwise create commercial value.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• company websites;

• online shops;

• brochures;

• catalogues;

• advertisements;

• social media advertising;

• paid promotional campaigns;

• branding materials;

• corporate presentations;

• product packaging;

• commercial exhibitions;

• trade fairs;

• sponsorship campaigns;

• business publications;

• press kits.

Every Commercial License is issued individually.

Unless otherwise agreed, the license will specify:

• the permitted purpose;

• the authorised user(s);

• the duration of the license;

• the geographical territory;

• the permitted media;

• any exclusivity granted;

• any restrictions or limitations.

Any commercial use beyond the granted license requires a new written agreement.

 

5. SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE USE

We are honoured when our clients choose to share their photographs.

Clients holding a valid Personal Use License may publish delivered photographs on their personal social media accounts for non-commercial purposes.

Whenever reasonably possible, we kindly ask clients to credit AGAPOV & ARNO when sharing our work online.

Clients may not:

• claim authorship of the photographs;

• remove visible copyright notices or watermarks where present;

• present the photographs as their own creative work;

• use the photographs to advertise businesses, products, services, or commercial activities without the appropriate Commercial License;

• grant permission for others to use the photographs.

Social media platforms may apply their own terms of service regarding uploaded content. AGAPOV & ARNO is not responsible for the policies or practices of third-party platforms.

Nothing in this section transfers copyright ownership or expands the license granted under this Policy.

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6. PRINTING & PERSONAL REPRODUCTION

Clients holding a valid Personal Use License may print and reproduce their delivered photographs for personal use.

Photographs may be printed using any professional printing service of the client's choice.

However, AGAPOV & ARNO cannot guarantee the quality, colour accuracy, paper selection, materials, finishes, or longevity of products produced by third-party laboratories or printing companies that are not selected by us.

For the highest quality and colour consistency, we recommend ordering prints, albums, wall art, and other printed products directly through AGAPOV & ARNO.

Photographs may not be reproduced for commercial sale, resale, licensing, promotional distribution, merchandise, or mass production without an appropriate Commercial License.

The purchase of printed products does not transfer any additional copyright or licensing rights beyond those expressly granted in this Policy.

 

7. EDITING, ALTERATIONS & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The artistic style of AGAPOV & ARNO is an essential part of our work and forms part of the creative service our clients choose.

Unless expressly authorised in writing, clients may not alter, manipulate, or create derivative works from photographs created by AGAPOV & ARNO.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• applying filters or presets;

• substantially changing colours or tones;

• excessive cropping that materially changes the composition;

• adding text, graphics, logos, stickers, or overlays;

• removing watermarks or copyright notices;

• combining photographs with other works to create new images;

• using artificial intelligence to significantly modify the artistic appearance of a photograph;

• generating derivative works intended to imitate or replace the original image.

Reasonable resizing or minor cropping for technical purposes (such as profile pictures, standard print sizes, or website formatting) is permitted, provided that the artistic integrity of the photograph is not materially affected.

If additional editing is desired, clients are encouraged to contact AGAPOV & ARNO. Additional editing services may be available for an additional fee.

Photographs created by AGAPOV & ARNO may not be used, directly or indirectly, to train artificial intelligence models, create machine-learning datasets, fine-tune AI systems, generate synthetic media, perform identity simulation, face cloning, or develop similar technologies without our prior written permission.

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8. THIRD-PARTY USE

The license granted to our clients applies only to the client unless otherwise stated in writing.

Photographs may not be transferred, licensed, sold, sublicensed, assigned, or otherwise provided to third parties for independent use without prior written permission from AGAPOV & ARNO.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• employers;

• companies;

• marketing agencies;

• designers;

• publishers;

• schools;

• charities;

• sponsors;

• event organisers;

• business partners;

• media organisations;

• other commercial or non-commercial entities.

Private clients may, however, share photographs with family members and close friends for their own personal viewing and enjoyment, provided that no commercial or public use is made of the photographs.

Where a third party wishes to use the photographs independently, an appropriate license may be issued by AGAPOV & ARNO.

Each request is assessed individually according to its intended use.

 

9. EDITORIAL, PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA

Photographs created by AGAPOV & ARNO may not be submitted for editorial publication, commercial publication, advertising campaigns, books, magazines, newspapers, exhibitions, competitions, or other public media requiring photographer authorisation unless permitted by the applicable license or separately approved in writing.

Where publication is authorised, we appreciate appropriate photographer credit whenever reasonably possible.

Nothing in this Policy prevents AGAPOV & ARNO from independently licensing photographs to publishers or other authorised parties where permitted by applicable agreements and client permissions.

Where client consent is required for publication because identifiable individuals appear in the photographs, AGAPOV & ARNO will obtain such consent separately through an Image Usage Consent or another appropriate written agreement.

 

10. PORTFOLIO & PROMOTIONAL USE BY AGAPOV & ARNO

We believe that trust is more important than marketing.

For that reason, your photographs are considered private by default.

AGAPOV & ARNO will not publish, display, exhibit, advertise, or otherwise use your photographs for portfolio, website, social media, printed marketing materials, competitions, educational presentations, or any other promotional purposes without your permission.

Where we would like to feature your photographs, we will request your consent separately through our Image Usage Consent or another written agreement.

Granting or declining permission is entirely your choice and will never affect the quality of the services we provide.

If you later withdraw your permission, we will make reasonable efforts to discontinue future use of your photographs within a reasonable period.

However, materials that have already been printed, published by third parties, incorporated into completed publications, or distributed before your request may not be capable of being withdrawn or recalled.

 

11. MORAL RIGHTS

In addition to copyright ownership, the photographer retains all moral rights recognised under applicable copyright law.

These rights exist independently of copyright ownership and remain with the photographer unless otherwise provided by applicable law.

Moral rights include, where applicable:

• the right to be identified as the author of the work;

• the right to object to any modification, distortion, or alteration that materially prejudices the artistic integrity, reputation, or intended presentation of the work;

• the right to preserve the authenticity and creative character of the photographs.

Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted as transferring, limiting, or waiving any moral rights unless such waiver is expressly permitted by applicable law and agreed in writing.

Where photographs are published in editorial, commercial, educational, or public contexts, appropriate photographer credit is appreciated whenever reasonably possible, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Respect for the artistic integrity of our work helps ensure that photographs continue to represent both our clients and AGAPOV & ARNO in the manner they were originally created.

 

12. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

Unauthorized use of copyrighted material may violate applicable copyright laws and international intellectual property treaties.

If AGAPOV & ARNO becomes aware of any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, publication, commercial exploitation, alteration, licensing, artificial intelligence training, or other use exceeding the granted license, we reserve the right to take any appropriate action necessary to protect our intellectual property.

Such action may include, but is not limited to:

• requesting removal of infringing material;

• issuing a request to cease unauthorized use;

• requiring the purchase of an appropriate license;

• seeking financial compensation where permitted by law;

• pursuing legal remedies available under applicable legislation.

Many situations can be resolved quickly through communication.

We therefore encourage anyone wishing to use our work beyond the granted license to contact us first. In many cases, an appropriate license can be arranged fairly and efficiently.

 

13. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

AGAPOV & ARNO may update this Copyright & Image License Policy from time to time to reflect changes in applicable law, technology, industry standards, business practices, or the services we provide.

The most current version will always be published on our website together with the updated "Last Updated" date.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, updates apply prospectively and do not affect licenses that were validly granted before the revised version became effective.

We encourage clients to review this Policy periodically to remain informed of any updates.

 

14. CONTACT

If you have any questions regarding copyright, licensing, commercial use, publications, image permissions, or any other matter relating to this Policy, please feel free to contact us.

AGAPOV & ARNO

Operated by Agapov Production

Seestrasse 264

8700 Küsnacht

Switzerland

Email

hello@agapovarno.ch

We believe that every photograph is more than an image.

It is a story, a memory, and a piece of original creative work deserving of respect and protection.

Thank you for respecting our work and for being part of the creative journey we share with every client.