I'll try to make this as simple as possible. Even though I've read similar happenings here on these pages, I'm still somewhat stunned so bear with me.
I work on a college campus......a very scenic one at that. Instead of pigging out during my lunch break, I walk around and take photos. These photos cover everything from building interiors to architecture to flowers to monuments. In other words, there are a variety of images to be captured.
Just recently, I new operator was brought in to build a new campus store. This company is an entity to its own and is not employed by anyone at the school. They are here to provide the service of operating this store. Anyway, today was the informal "Grand Opening" of this store (there's a more formal ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for next week). I decided to stop in and take a look around during my daily photo walk. You know what's coming next next, don't you?
I walk around the store and see one of my pics blown up to poster size.
I know for a fact it was mine and have the original file (with the necessary EXIF data) to prove it. Not only that, I printed out a copy of the photo for a direct comparison to be sure. It's definitely mine. I didn't want to make a big stink about it, especially because I work there, but I felt the need to let the manager know that it was my pic. I was a little miffed, but didn't show it when I approached her.
I went on tell her that it was my pic and that I'd at least like some credit since it was hanging up as a display in the store. It wasn't for sale or anything (that's a whole different story that's connected to this), just displayed as a general "campus scene" photo. I didn't get upset until she said, "We sent our own photographer up here and he took photos all over campus."
Naturally, I was heated.....not because the photo was there, but because she (the manager) had the audacity to lie about it!
I discreetly took a photo of the framed print for "future" reference. 3 hours later, the pic was still there, so she obviously blew me off about this whole thing. My next step is......well, I don't know what my next step is. I'm tempted to go right over her head to the top of the company and let them know that I've been violated (at least that's how I feel). Had she told me that someone just gave it to her (which is probably what happened), it really wouldn't be a big deal as long as I got a nice big photo credit. Now I'm pissed, but don't want to do anything without getting some feedback.
What alternatives do I have here?
What are my rights?
Do I have anything to stand on?
What should I do in a situation like this?
This is my first encounter with something like this, so I could sure use some friendly advice.