Copyright is your form of protection, provided by law, for the creation of original works. As owner/creator of your copyright, your have exclusive rights to do (and to authorize other to do) the following:
- Reproduce the work in copies
- Prepare derivatives of the work
- Distribute copies to the public by rental, lease, or sale
- Display the copyrighted work publicly (for example, on television)
Take Note
The sale of your art does not give buyers the ownership of copyright. If they want this additional benefit, they must have your written agreement. You should never, however, give up your copyright unless you are being paid very well. It is the most valuable asset for your business (the business of selling art) and for you as an artist.
You can sell rights – they are not usually “lifetime” or “complete” – to a copyrightable piece without selling the original. Each type of right of usage will require a separate legal agreement.
An international copyright that will automatically protect an artist’s works throughout the world does not presently exist. Protection against unauthorized use in a particular country depends on the country’s laws.
When you hire a photographer to take pictures of your artwork, the photos are his/her copyrightable images. You will need to get in writing that he/she agrees to relinquish this right.
**The above is listed purely as a guide and are subject to change at any time and vary by location. If you wish to have your work copyrighted, or want to report an infringement please contact an appropriate lawyer.
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