>> Again, if it were not fixed until developed then labs would often acquire copyright by default. >> Yes, if they were developing film creatively they would

>> Again, if it were not fixed until developed then labs would often acquire copyright by default. >> Yes, if they were developing film creatively they would have some ownership. But, that is why the "publication" of the images by a film lab is done under the express direction of a photographer. There is a contract in force and terms agreed when you develop film using a service. That is also how film labs avoid getting entangled in lawsuits, child porn, etc. I am not so much hung up on 'expression' as copying / reproducibility. If it can't be duplicated or copied, or understood / perceived by audience copyright will not apply. So undeveloped film is not subject to copyright. Expression however does probably play a larger role in my thinking due to the copyright of binary software which is indeed absurd. Thanks for helpful comments