how do you copyright art or drawings?

Question

how do i make art i have made up copywrittin so that it belongs to my brand name ?

Answer 1

well good luck with that

Answer 2

If you're talking about a logo, you're looking for trademark info. I'll provide you with details on both so you can best decide where to go from here.

COPYRIGHTS:

Copyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few.

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 copyright specific 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."

TRADEMARKS:

Trademarks can be names of products or services, logos, slogans, packaging and even sounds and smells. In essence, a trademark can be almost anything that is used to identify a particular product or service. Registering a trademark grants the owner exclusive rights to the mark within the specified industry.

To register a trademark, that's done either through your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.

If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct (OR are planning to conduct) business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.

Prior to investing your time, money & effort into a name, it is strongly advised that comprehensive research be conducted to ensure that the name you're interested in is truly available.

This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.

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

Answer 3

I think you are confusing trademark with copyright.

In the US copyright is automatic. Unless you give permission people can't make direct copies of it. Art has a lot less protection under copyright. You could paint something, and I could come along a paint a similar picture completely legally. (It gets really complex when some directly attempts to copy something by hand.) Now claiming my painting was painted by you would be fraud in addition to various civil claims you could make.

A trademark is a name that can only be used by the person(s) with rights to the trademark. Trademarks must be registered, and this is expensive. An example would be trademarking "uber-artist" (most likely already trademarked, or in use in some way). Once trademarked only you, or people you authorized could use it for art. Now say a martialartist could also trademark it, and use to promote his dojo, but he couldn't use it for art.

PS- I am not a lawyer, and even if I was I'm not your lawyer. If you have a comerial enterprise you might want to talk to a lawyer.

Answer 4

Check out the website of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., Copyright Division.They may take a long time to process requests but they are the ultimate Copyright authority for books, music, and so on. Art may be a special subject, and it may be useful at first to contact an association for artists in your immediate area.

Answer 5

There are forms you can get. I bought some copyright forms at a local music store. You can also do what is called "the poor man's copyright", which basically you make a copy of the things you want copyrighted, mail it to yourself with a date on it, and don't open it. It can hold up in court if there is question on someone copying your work, or so I'm told. I've done this with some of my work.

Answer 6

My late husband was a Copyright Specialist at the Library of Congress. In addition, he was working on a comic book. He had two of the pictures copywritten. There's an application fee- it used to be $25. My husband passed away a few years ago.. but the department at the Library of Congress is still the same.

Answer 7

Copyright is essentially a private right. You, the copyright owner must decide how to exploit your copyright work and how to enforce your copyright. A copyright owner can decide whether or not there will be any use of the copyright work falling within the scope of the economic rights and, if so, whether he or she will use the copyright work and/or license one or more other people to use the work. http://www.copyright.gov/ a usefull link

A copyright owner can also benefit from copyright by selling or agreeing a transfer of copyright to someone else.

Many of the options available to a copyright owner will involve contractual agreements which may be just as important as the rights provided by copyright law. The right contractual agreement can minimise the chances of a dispute over use of your copyright work.

Answer 8

As soon as you complete the project it is copywritten. You don't need to do anything special. Having it time stamped (to prove your's was first if the need arises) isn't a bad idea.

Answer 9

you just write on it
copyright@2006yourname
put a circled C where the @ sign is above.

Answer 10

Go to http://www.copyright.gov/ for all you need to know.