You are correct that nobody mentioned that copyright is an issue here but without that what would a picture of the chip threaten. Except maybe security.

I would think that it might be a one of or a combination of those two issues.

As for copyright, it is automatic, to the creator, from the time of creation and registration is not, as I understand, required. As for who owns the copyright, it is the artist, unless the work is a "WORK FOR HIRE" which can make the ownership a little more confusing and CAN make the work the property of an employer. I have heard though that through contracts, the property can still remain with the creator even though it was created FOR HIRE. With a registration though, you have a documentation that would establish who was the creator and when the works were created. It could be a sticky fight against an infringer if you don't have a registered copyright. You would be fighting over who owned the copyrights and without registration you would probably have to get into posession of negatives, original prints and works etc. If it is registered, as I understand it, the rights are registered with the time and date that they are received by the copyright office. If necessary you can prove a date and time of registration and it would come down to which owner has the earliest documentation. While you do not need to register right away, the quickest you do is, therefore, to your benefit. Further, I have heard, you do not need to copyright each individual work. Some photographers will compile catalogs or groupings of works and copyright them as a bundle. I, perhaps foolishly, haven't actually gone through the formality of registering my photos but it is my understanding that I could, say every month or whatever, put together a CD or Printed Catalog of my images and copyright that. All the work on or in that medium will then be copyrighted as well.

This is just my basic NOVICE understanding of the issue. That is why I suggested checking out http://www.loc.gov/copyright for more information and FACTS about copyrighting your work or using other peoples works.