The United Kingdom, if not the entire universe, is waiting on the big day (29 Apr 2011) when Kate & Wills will be married. This event is expected to significantly boost the UK economy and many entrepeneurs are trying to make hay while the sun shines. One such enterprising entrepeneur, Benjamin Daniel Pankhurst, a British citizen, is seeking lots of photographs of the big day.

Ben, as he is known to his friends, plans to produce 'The Royal Wedding Album'. This is to be stuffed with photos of the big day and as it says on the Royal Wedding Album website it will bring "together Royalists and Radicals, Young and Young-at-heart, Fanatics and Composed, British and Internationals, Party-goers and Party-poopers, Creatives and Critics, Photographers and Amateurs, Holiday-makers and Wouldn't-miss-outers, Well-to-do and Penniless, etc.,etc." and so it goes on relentlessly....

The License

This idea is extended by Ben's decision not to take the photographs himself but to ask the entire world to do it for him. However, it is at this point, in our opinion, that Ben's good ideas run out, he doesn't actually want to pay for any of the photos. Instead Ben wants you and everyone else to donate the photos to him according to this license -

"For consideration which I acknowledge, I irrevocably grant to Group Charlescannon Sarl and Company's assigns, licensees and successors the right to use my image and name in The Royal Wedding Album book and on www.theroyalweddingalbum.com including composite or modified representations for all purposes, including advertising, trade or any commercial purpose throughout the world and in perpetuity. I waive the right to inspect or approve versions of my image used for publication or the written copy that may used in connection with the images."

The license rambles on at length, as most do, requiring the creator of the photograph to take the blame for everything that might go wrong, and making clear that there is no obligation to credit the creator.

Facebook & The Royal Wedding Album

Ben has a Facebook page urging the world to go out and take photos. You can even chat to Ben on Facebook about the project and keep up to date with the mounting excitement as the big day looms ever closer. Some of the discussions on the Facebook page are well worth reading and you may even be tempted to contribute. Discussions such "We give you the photos and you make money. Right?".

Ben and the Swiss Connection

So what do we know about Ben? He talks about his project and himself on the Royal Wedding Mania website. He says he is the Managing Director of Group Charlescannon and if you would like to email him you can do so through Melody Mitchell at .  London, Geneva and Verbier phone numbers are available on this page.

More information about Group Charlescannon Sàrl is available on this Swiss website. According to that site Group Charlescannon Sàrl is a limited liability company located at Route des Creux 6, Verbier, Switzerland. Its stated pupose is business consulting services in risk management, communication strategy and public relations, therefore publishing would appear to be a new venture. The sole shareholder, valued at CHF 20,000, is none other than our Ben.

The site also states that - "Communications aux associés: par écrit ou courriel. Selon déclaration du gérant du 14.10.2009, la société n'est pas soumise à une révision ordinaire et à une révision renonce Circulation."  According to Google translate this states; "Communications to shareholders: in writing or email. According to statement of the manager of 14.10.2009, the Company is not subject to regular review and revision disclaims Circulation". We apologise if this translation is not as good as it could be.

You may feel that creating a book which is likely to be a very profitable venture for Ben but without paying the people who provide the bulk of its content is just a bit unfair. We certainly do.

News Flash

This story has moved on and for the next installment please read the .