can anyone tell me how copyright works on original pieces of art and photography?

Answer 1

anything you create is automatically your copyright. Its as simple as that. If you are at all worried that something is about to be infringed though, have a copy dated and stamped at the bank and keep that on file in case you are ever challenged

Answer 2

(c) your name and the month & year on the work. Photocopy, or scan. Place in an envelope addressed to yourself. Take it to the post office and record delivery back to your home address. Staple the recorded delivery slip to the envelope when you receive it back.

After sealing the envelope, sign your name, & date, over the joins and cellotape across the joins & your signature. This is necessary, because if you don't, the gum from the envelope may over the years, & it does, become "unstuck" - this happened to me. The idea of the cellotape is that if anyone opens the envelope, your signature gets "ripped" also and the envelope cannot be resealed. You keep the envelopes sealed. Should you find that your work has been copied and another has (c) your work or commercially sold copies, then you get all the info together and your sealed envelope must only be opened in the presence of a solicitor. Another way is to join ACID, and they allow you to copyright your work on their database. They also take up your case. Check out their website.

If you ever send your work to agents, Stores, publishers, etc etc. - then always, keep copies of correspondence, ensure any letter you send, with portfolio samples, is worded to protect yourself. ACID can guide you re this. A negative is, of course, your copyright, but you then have to prove the date you took it.

Banks used to store your copyrights for free, but now they charge per item. Solicitors also would charge for this service.


http://www.patent.gov.uk/copy/ - is the Government Patent Copyright Website - very good - just read up when you have a quiet moment.

Copyright lasts for 70 years after the artists death (but not songwriting). At the moment I am collating data on how companies/museums/libraries are (c) work of artists long dead. I think it is something to do with the digital image of the Rembrandt, or Roger Fenton photograph, is their copyright. Text layout copyright is, I think, only 25 years.

Good Fortune with your career.

Answer 3

The best way to ensure you can prove you are the original artist is to send a copy of the piece recorded delivery and don't open it.

If your going to be mega-famous send it to your solicitor or a bank and have it stored in a safety deposit box.

If you might not be, address it to yourself and don't let anyone open it.

This will ensure the parcel is tracked and recorded by location and also signed and dated for by you. This may then be used in a court of law as evidence of copyright ownership.

Copyright is a protection that covers published and unpublished literary, scientific and artistic works, whatever the form of expression, provided such works is fixed in a tangible or material form. This means that if you can see it, hear it and/or touch it - it may be protected. If it is an essay, if it is a play, if it is a song, if it is a funky original dance move, if it is a photograph, HTML coding or a computer graphic that can be set on paper, recorded on tape or saved to a hard drive, it may be protected.

Copyright laws grant the creator the exclusive right to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute, perform and display the work publicly. Exclusive means only the creator of such work, not anybody who has access to it and decides to grab it.

Somebody once asked if it was "illegal" to place the copyright © symbol next to your name if you have not registered your copyright. Unless you have stolen the work from somebody else and you are not the true author of the work, it is not illegal to place the copyright © symbol next to your name - it is your right to do so.

The proper way to place a copyright notice is as follows: Copyright © (first date of creation) (name of owner). Like this: Copyright © 2003 John Smith.

If a copyright statement reads, "© Copyright 1998, 1999 John Smith." does that mean that John Smith's copyright expired in 1999? The dates that you see in a copyright statement do not refer to the dates that the owner's material will expire and become public domain - they actually refer to the dates that the material was created.

When you see several dates in a copyright statement, it simply means that certain things were created in one year and modified later. It could also mean that new things were created and added in a later year. It most definitely does not refer to the date that a copyright will expire. Expiration of a copyright actually takes place much later, and this period of validity begins from the date that you see in the copyright statement. The Berne Convention establishes a general and minimum period that lasts the life of the author and fifty years after his (or her) death. Cinematographic works and photographic works have a minimum period of protection of 50 and 25 years upon the date of creation, respectively. This applies to any country that has signed the Berne Convention, and these are just the minimum periods of protection. A member country is entitled to establish greater periods of protection, but never less than what has been established by the Berne Convention.

So, what does all this mean? This means that if a copyright statement reads, "© Copyright 1998, 1999 John Smith" and John Smith is from a country that has signed the Berne Convention, he created his works in 1998 and 1999, and his copyright is not going to expire until at least fifty years after he dies (this period may be greater - remember that member countries may establish longer periods of protection). Until that time his works are not in public domain.

Answer 4

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 5

You simply need to assert your copyright. So simply mark any items with "Copyright " and you're covered. It is customary to also add a year. This is obviously easy for images of the objects, such as in a catalogue or on the web. If you wish to protect the original work itself, you can simply place a sign next to it stating that it's protected by copyright and that therefore photographs are forbidden or alternatively are owned by you.

Edit: In case it's not obvious from the above, there is no register for copyrights, the way there is for patents and trademarks.

Answer 6

Usually with photographs it is a c enclosed in a circle placed on top of the picture. With paintings the law is more clear, the copyright stays with the artist not the buyer.

Answer 7

No, only as you does no longer very own the copyright to a e book in case you acquire the unique manuscript. you're able to could particularly purchase the copyright from the artist, which might in actuality be a settlement. this means which you would be able to no longer reproduction the artwork without permission or income any royalties from its use. you may, besides the shown fact that, do despite you like with the fairly artwork, which comprise sell, loan, or fee people to view it.

Answer 8

re:photography. retain all negatives, you own them, the subject of the shoot does not. All too often the person(s) paying for the shoot assume that they own the negs. Not so. The photographer owns the image for life plus 50 years. With todays technology this is very often hard to keep up with for the photographer. Hope that if your subject goes to a reputable photo shop that they will take the time time to call the photographer for a release of rights or not. With todays technology this is old school advice but I hope that it helps.

Answer 9

you need to speak to someone in the photography union apparently i was rudely informed in wal mart when i wanted to copy photos from 100 years ago, (even though a patent last for 100 years) there all sorts of telephone numbers for them on the web.

Answer 10

no idea..sorry