Copyright for Visual Artists and Photographers
Copyright is a key legal concept when it comes to the visual arts and photography. No mater what kind of art you create copyright helps define the extent of the rights you have in your work as well what others are able to do with the work you create. In this Fact Sheet we consider some of the key principles of copyright as it applies to visual artists and photographers. The specific questions we address are:
- What is copyright?
- How does copyright apply to visual artists and photographers?
- What else does copyright apply to?
- What are the individual rights that are included in copyright?
- Who owns the copyright in something?
- Can more than one person own the copyright in something?
- Who owns the copyright in a painting, sculpture or photograph that has been commissioned where the person
- commissioning the work doesn’t pay as agreed?
- Who owns the copyright in a partially completed set of commissioned drawings where the job is canceled part way through?
- Do I have to register my copyright?
- Are there any other requirements before copyright will apply?
- How long does copyright last for?
- How do people know that I am the owner of my copyright?
- Are there any situations where copyright does not apply?
- Are my copyright rights enforceable throughout the world?
- What is copyright Infringement and how does it occur?
- What can I do if someone is infringing my copyright?
- How do I transfer my copyright to someone else?
- Do I have to assign my copyright to enable someone else to use it?
- What is the real difference between assigning and licensing copyright?
Fact sheet: Copyright for Visual Artists & Photographers (386)