How do I ensure someone owns the copyright to a photo they submit online?

Question: How do I ensure someone owns the copyright to a photo they submit online!?

I am building a website for a annual photo contest, the first step is to submit a lo-res version online!. But my client is concerned about copyright, particularly whether or not somebody actually owns the photo they submit!. I feel like warnings and terms and agreements will suffice (plus if they do not have the hi-res version it will be obvious)!. Am I correct!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

You are correct, although many, many P&S shooters overwrite their original images when they attempt to "fix" mistakes to make images better or to make creative changes in their files, because they forget to rename the new file to protect the original!.

Require that they supply the data that will show up on the EXIF data: Make and model of the camera, Date and Time the image was made, Exposure, f/stop, Exposure program (aperture, shutter speed, program or manual mode) ISO, metering mode, focal length, Any user comment, Colour space and white balance!.

Stipulate that they supply a copy of the original file if they win an award!. The EXIF data will show many things !.!.!. you can use a program like OPanda IEXIF 2 to read the data and match it to what was supplied with the entry

IF they are using a Nikon DSLR, they can put their copyright notice on their file at the time of exposure, if not, it could be added by using Photoshop to insert that and other data to the XMP file!.

With manipulated files, requiring them to submit their original (the "before" file) would further verify their ownershipWww@QuestionHome@Com