Legal Notice and Copyright & Licensing
D.K.World-Photography — Legal Notice, Copyright & Licensing
Last updated: 14 August 2026
Copyright Notice
© D.K.World-Photography, 2012–2026. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise stated, the photographs, original artwork, AI-assisted artwork, AI-created artwork, written content, branding and other creative material created or owned by D.K.World-Photography are protected by copyright and other applicable intellectual-property rights.
This protection applies to material displayed on the D.K.World-Photography website, online shop, social-media accounts and other platforms operated by D.K.World-Photography.
Our creative work is produced through a combination of photography, traditional editing, digital editing, AI-assisted editing and AI-created artwork. Further information about our creative process can be found on our AI & Creative Process page.
Ownership of Copyright
Copyright in the underlying photograph, artwork or digital creation remains with D.K.World-Photography unless copyright has been expressly transferred through a separate written agreement.
Purchasing a physical product does not transfer copyright.
For example, purchasing a
mounted print
framed print
mini print
greeting card
A2 poster
commissioned print
gives the customer ownership of the physical product purchased, but does not give the customer ownership of the copyright in the underlying image or artwork.
The customer may enjoy and display the purchased physical artwork for its intended personal purpose, but may not reproduce or commercially exploit the underlying work without permission.
Use of Our Artwork
Unless you have obtained written permission or an appropriate licence from D.K.World-Photography, you may not:
reproduce or copy our photographs or artwork;
scan or digitally reproduce our physical prints;
modify or create derivative versions of our artwork;
sell or redistribute copies;
upload our images to image libraries or stock websites;
use our artwork in merchandise;
use our artwork for advertising or commercial branding;
use our artwork in publications or commercial media;
use our artwork to create NFTs or similar digital assets;
use our artwork to train, develop or test AI systems;
use our artwork to create AI-generated derivative works;
remove copyright notices or other ownership information; or
claim our work as your own.
This applies whether the material is obtained from our website, social media, online shop, printed material or another source operated by D.K.World-Photography.
Social Media
Our images may be viewed and shared through social-media platforms where the platform's own sharing functions permit this.
However, sharing an image does not give permission to download, reproduce, edit, modify or commercially use the underlying artwork.
If you wish to share our work, please use the platform's official sharing function where available rather than downloading and re-uploading the image.
Unauthorised screenshots, downloads, reposts or edits are not permitted.
AI and Our Creative Work
D.K.World-Photography uses modern creative technology, including AI tools, as part of its artistic process.
Some work may be:
Photography — an original photograph taken by D.K.World-Photography.
AI-Assisted Editing — an original photograph or artwork that has been enhanced or altered using AI-assisted tools.
AI Creation — artwork created using AI as part of the creative process.
The use of AI does not mean that our images are free to copy, reproduce or reuse.
Our photographs, creative compositions, edited works, digital artwork and business branding remain protected to the extent applicable under copyright and other intellectual-property laws.
Our creative process and use of AI are explained openly on our website because we believe customers should know how the artwork they are purchasing has been created.
Commercial Licensing
Some D.K.World-Photography images and artwork may be available for commercial licensing.
A licence provides permission to use a specific image or artwork for specific purposes. A licence does not normally transfer copyright ownership.
Commercial licensing may be available for uses including:
advertising;
business branding;
publications;
websites;
promotional campaigns;
hospitality and commercial interiors;
merchandise;
media projects;
other agreed commercial purposes.
Each licence will be considered individually.
The permitted use, duration, territory, distribution, exclusivity and any other conditions will be confirmed in writing before the licence begins.
Licence Periods
Where offered, licences may be available for:
1-Year Licence
Permission to use the agreed image or artwork for the specific purposes stated in the licence agreement for one year.
3-Year Licence
Permission to use the agreed image or artwork for the specific purposes stated in the licence agreement for three years.
5-Year Licence
Permission to use the agreed image or artwork for the specific purposes stated in the licence agreement for five years.
The licence period begins on the date specified in the individual licence agreement.
Expiry of a Licence
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a licence automatically ends when the agreed licence period expires.
Once the licence has expired, the licensee must cease any use covered by the licence.
Continued use after the licence has expired requires a new licence agreement.
The expiry of a licence does not transfer or remove copyright from D.K.World-Photography. Copyright remains with D.K.World-Photography throughout.
Exclusive Licensing
An exclusive licence may be available for selected images or artwork by separate written agreement.
Where an exclusive licence is granted, the agreement will clearly state:
the image or artwork covered;
the duration of exclusivity;
the permitted use;
the territory;
the type of exclusivity granted; and
any other agreed conditions.
Unless expressly transferred through a separate written agreement, copyright remains owned by D.K.World-Photography.
Commissioned Artwork
D.K.World-Photography accepts selected commissions.
A commissioned artwork may be created specifically according to a customer's requirements.
The customer may agree specifications such as:
subject;
image selection;
size;
format;
colour;
editing;
artistic treatment;
personalisation; or
other agreed creative requirements.
Unless a separate written copyright transfer has been agreed, copyright in commissioned artwork remains with D.K.World-Photography.
The purchase of commissioned artwork therefore gives the customer ownership of the agreed physical product, but does not automatically give the customer copyright or unrestricted reproduction rights.
Any commercial use, reproduction or other extended use must be agreed separately through an appropriate licence.
Requests for Permission and Licensing
If you would like to:
reproduce an image;
use an image commercially;
license an image;
use artwork for a business;
use an image in merchandise;
request an exclusive licence; or
discuss another form of permitted use,
please contact D.K.World-Photography.
Email:
dkworld-photography@outlook.com
We will discuss the proposed use and, where appropriate, provide licensing terms and pricing.
Unauthorised Use
We take the protection of our creative work seriously.
Unauthorised reproduction, distribution, commercial use or other infringement of our copyright or intellectual-property rights may result in action to protect those rights.
Where appropriate, we may request removal of unauthorised material, seek compensation or take other action available to us under applicable law.
Respect Creativity. Support Artists. Trade Ethically.
D.K.World-Photography believes that artists and photographers should be able to control how their creative work is used.
We are committed to being transparent about how we create our work and equally committed to respecting the creative rights of others.
Please respect creativity.
Support artists.
Trade ethically.
Social Media Copyright Notice
For use with individual social-media posts:
© D.K.World-Photography. All rights reserved.
No unauthorised copying, reproduction, editing, commercial use or redistribution. Please respect the creator's copyright. Licensing available for selected works.
#RespectArtists #CopyrightProtected
Copyright Protection & Unauthorised Use
All photographs, artwork and other original creative works displayed on this website are protected by copyright. They remain the intellectual property of D.K.World-Photography unless expressly stated otherwise.
Please understand: viewing an image online does not give you permission to copy, download, reproduce, alter, publish, sell or otherwise use it.
"But I live outside the UK..."
Copyright protection is not limited to the United Kingdom.
International copyright agreements, including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, provide protection for qualifying creative works across many countries. Under the principle of national treatment, works protected under the Convention are generally entitled to protection in other member countries under their applicable national copyright laws. Copyright protection under the Convention is also generally automatic and does not depend upon registering the work. citeturn0search1turn0search0
This means that being located in another country does not automatically give you the right to use a photograph simply because the photographer is based elsewhere.
Copyright laws and enforcement procedures do vary between countries, and any legal action will be subject to the applicable law and jurisdiction. However, international borders should not be regarded as a licence to use someone else's creative work without permission.
What can happen if my work is used without permission?
If I discover that my copyrighted work has been copied or used without permission, I may first request that the unauthorised use is stopped and that the material is removed.
Depending on the circumstances, I may also:
request removal of the infringing material from a website, social media platform or other service;
issue a formal copyright infringement or cease-and-desist notice;
seek an appropriate licence fee or compensation for unauthorised use;
seek damages or other remedies available under the applicable law;
seek an injunction requiring the unauthorised use to stop; and
where appropriate, commence legal proceedings in the relevant jurisdiction.
In the United Kingdom, copyright owners can seek remedies through the courts, including injunctions and damages. Deliberate copyright infringement on a commercial scale may also constitute a criminal offence in certain circumstances.
The fact that an image is available on the internet does not mean that it is free to use.
If you would like to use any photograph or artwork displayed on this website, please contact D.K.World-Photography and obtain permission before using it.
If permission is granted, any conditions of use will be confirmed separately.
All pictures © 2025 - 2026 All rights reserved.
© D.K.World-Photography 2025 - 2026
D.K.World‑Photography is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO
ICO Registration Number: CSN2121631
Creating original photography and AI-inspired artwork from the heart of Teesdale, County Durham.
D.K.World‑Photography is a registered sole‑trader business with HMRC and fully compliant with UK tax and trading regulations.