Image and Photography
Canella Camaiora® is a trusted name in the protection of reputation, photographs, and image rights.
Image is a multifaceted legal concept—one that intersects personality rights, copyright, data protection law, and the evolving norms of modern communication.
When handling visual content and photographs, it is crucial to assess not only the image itself, but also the associated reputation, the ownership of rights, and the legal management of all parties and creative works involved.
Today, more than ever—given the rise of AI-generated content, deepfakes, and the unauthorized use of portraits and images—advanced and strategic legal protection is essential.
For six consecutive years (2020–2025), Canella Camaiora® has been recognized by Il Sole 24 Ore–Statista as one of the best Italian law firms in Intellectual Property and TMT, based on an independent survey of lawyers, in-house counsel, and clients.
With deep experience in image rights, photography, and copyright, we offer highly skilled assistance in legal relationships between photographers and subjects, as well as among authors, agencies, celebrities, influencers, and industry professionals.
We understand image in all its legal dimensions: as a personal right, as a creative asset, as protected content, and as personal data. This rare cross-disciplinary expertise makes us a recognized leader in cases involving defamation, image damage, and reputational harm.
To respond swiftly and effectively, Canella Camaiora® offers a suite of tailored legal services:
- Preliminary assessment to identify potential infringement;
- Legal opinions on copyright and image rights;
- Cease-and-desist letters to stop unauthorized exploitation;
- Litigation and urgent legal measures to block illicit use and obtain compensation;
- Reporting of unlawful content to online platforms;
- Web monitoring and surveillance against unauthorized uses;
- Certified digital evidence collection (powered by TrueScreen®);
- Contractual advice on photography and licensing;
- Legal support in reputation management and defamation cases.
What is the right to image, and when does it apply?
The right to one’s image is a personal right that safeguards an individual’s control over their visual representation. It is governed by Article 10 of the Italian Civil Code and Articles 96 and 97 of the Italian Copyright Law. Except in cases of public interest or legitimate news reporting, the reproduction of a person’s likeness requires the individual’s prior consent.
What is the difference between a photographic work and a simple photograph?
A photographic work is an original creation with creative character and is protected under copyright law for 70 years after the author’s death.A simple photograph—lacking originality—is granted a different form of protection, lasting 20 years from the date of production, provided legal attribution requirements are met.
What can be done in case of unauthorized use of an image or photograph?
It is possible to seek an immediate stop to the unlawful use, request content removal, and obtain compensation for damages. Canella Camaiora® assists clients in both out-of-court and judicial actions, evaluating case-specific strategies including urgent measures and compensation claims.
How can images and photographs be protected online?
Effective protection begins with proper copyright management and metadata preservation. In case of abuse, legal action can include filing complaints with digital platforms or gathering certified evidence for future litigation.
Can images found on the internet be used freely?
No—unless the image is released under a free license with clear terms of reuse. All online images are potentially protected by copyright. Unauthorized use can give rise to legal liability, even when committed in good faith.
Protecting image and photography requires a multidisciplinary legal approach Canella Camaiora® is a leading firm for individuals and entities seeking to protect their image, reputation, and visual content—or to properly manage rights related to creative works.
Active monitoring and prompt legal action are now essential. The value of image must be protected with knowledge, strategy, and precision.
Image and photography
Preliminary assessment to identify potential infringement
Legal opinions on copyright and image rights
Cease-and-desist letters to stop unauthorized exploitation
Litigation and urgent legal measures to block illicit use and obtain compensation
Reporting of unlawful content to online platforms
Web monitoring and surveillance against unauthorized uses
Certified digital evidence collection (powered by TrueScreen®)
Contractual advice on photography and licensing
Legal support in reputation management and defamation cases
Contributing Know-How and Software to an S.r.l.: Opportunities and Safeguards for Startups and Sole Proprietorships
Setting up a startup (or converting a sole proprietorship into a company) by contributing intellectual property as share capital can reduce cash needs and bring [...]
20 March 2026
The “Deforestation-Free” Regulation is postponed again… Are we truly ready?
In recent years, the European Union has demonstrated increasing commitment to environmental protection, fully aware that the transition to a sustainable economy is no longer [...]
20 March 2026
Preclusion due to coexistence between trademarks: when prolonged use limits the exclusive right
In trademark law, the rule is straightforward: registration grants an exclusive right and allows the owner to prohibit the use of identical or similar signs [...]
19 March 2026
The director of photography: A forgotten author?
Under Italian copyright law, the director of photography is not included among the co-authors of a cinematographic work identified by Article 44 of Law No. [...]
16 March 2026
Registrability of an AI-generated logo in Italy and Europe
With the rapid spread of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, creating logos through algorithms has become an increasingly common practice—accessible to designers and entrepreneurs alike. In [...]
12 March 2026
Why many companies lose trade secret lawsuits (and how to avoid it)
Many companies are convinced they possess information that is decisive for their business: ideas, procedures, technical solutions, commercial strategies that constitute a real competitive advantage. [...]
11 March 2026
Meat sounding: can I call it meat if it isn’t meat?
In recent years, the vocabulary used to describe food products has become an area of growing legal attention, where consumer protection, freedom of economic initiative, [...]
11 March 2026
Cinematography and co-Authorship in film: The limits of article 44 of the Italian Copyright Act and possible interpretative developments
This article examines the position of the Director of Photography within the Italian copyright framework, with specific reference to the rules on co-authorship of cinematographic [...]
10 March 2026
Is a non-disclosure agreement enough to protect me?
“Don’t worry, we’ve signed a non-disclosure agreement.” It’s a phrase we often hear when something important is about to be shared with a supplier, an [...]
9 March 2026
What happens when two trademarks share the same name?
Some business disputes arise from a technology, others from a product. And then there are those that arise from a name. A surname, to be [...]
6 March 2026
Employee inventions: how to foster them within the company and convert them into value
Employee inventions are by no means rare occurrences: they frequently consist of technical improvements arising from day-to-day operations which, if properly managed, may become a [...]
6 March 2026
Breach of the agent’s duties: remedies protecting exclusivity and against unfair competition
When a company chooses to expand its market presence, one of the most common strategies is to rely on a commercial agent, a key figure [...]
5 March 2026