Legal Information

Hey people
I am not sure where to ask on this.

So I thought I would try here

Anyway, this is the situation

I am creating a new website, and I am employing a photographer to take a picture of 6 people for me (in a group)

All Disabled people, in wheel chairs.

I would use the image. as the main logo for the website, and for advertisments. (leaflets, brochures ect)

To cover my back against legal action, I am getting all people in the picture to sign a contract so to speak.
Which states that I am allowed to use the image with them in it for the website, advertisments, and other things related to the website.
bla bla bla


5 of the people are over 18
BUT, one of them is 17.
Would I need to get their parent to sign the contract
And will these contracts hold up in a court of law, if it ever come to that

I am in the UK, so I would be following the UK law.

If nobody knows, any suggestions on where to go to find out.

I can't talk about UK law but there are some basic things to consider either way. The first is, that it's not really a contract, it's a waiver of sorts. In other words, they are giving you consent to use that picture and they are not looking for anything in return. That's ok as long as the use of the picture is not breaking any other laws. No signature can validate that.
The next thing is the minor issue. In the US, you would need the parental consent. You could always leave the person out of the photo and that would solve that.

Search google for "find UK statutes" to search for local laws.

its not a problem getting the 17 year olds parents signature, they have agreed.

and If I typed out a Waiver, would that hold, or does it need to be "Legalized" by a lawyer?

No, the waiver is good as long as it doesn't break any laws. Of course, a good lawyer maybe able to find a loop hole but I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you don't misrepresent anything.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public

I will cover all points then

The people are friends now,
but say, we stop being friends
and the website picks up really big, and makes a lot of money

Thats when I have to be carful

I don't know about the UK but here in the US anyone can sue anyone for almost anything but getting an award and collecting is another story. Don't worry about make too much money just yet.