Is it legal for a business to repost a photo that a customer posted and tagged the business?

[Kross]

A happy customer posts a photo on social media and tags my business. That photo belongs to the customer. Do I have the right to repost the photo? When I repost it, it is for commercial use right? Legally, do I have to take permission from the customer before reposting such a photo?

 

[oliver991]

From what I know, the fact that they tagged you doesn’t automatically mean you can reuse the photo. Copyright stays with the person who took the picture, even if your brand appears in it.

 

[Fidelia]

I didn't know that it is illegal to repost a picture that your customer posted. I do it all the time.

 

[gwolf666]

This is a really important question because it touches both on legal rights and good business practices. Technically, the photo posted by the customer belongs to them, even if they tag your business. Reposting it without permission could be considered using someone else’s content for commercial purposes, since you are promoting your brand through their image. Some platforms have terms of service that allow limited sharing, like “reposting” within the app, but that doesn’t always extend to using the photo in marketing campaigns or on your official website. The safest approach is to ask the customer for explicit permission, ideally in writing, before reposting. Most happy customers will gladly agree, and it also strengthens your relationship with them. Beyond legality, it shows respect and professionalism. In short, yes, it counts as commercial use, and yes, you should always get permission to avoid any future disputes.