Copyright and Trademark Basics For Artists

If you are an artist, photographer or other creative entrepreneur you ARE involved in the world of intellectual property whether you know it or not. Intellectual property deals with the things that are created and gives them certain rights and protections under the law. These include rights for artistic, musical, film and literary works, the creation of symbols, designs and phrases, inventions and processes. In general, these types of intellectual property fall under the categories of copyrights, trademarks and patents.

In working with the creative community it never ceases to amaze me how little understanding and how much misinformation there is on the subject. Recently I asked my students what they have been taught about copyrights – “Well you can copy up to 30% of someone else’s work to create your own”. Really, let me get this right, you can copy up to 30% of a portrait I created?” “Which 30%, the bottom, the top how about the middle 30% with the face?” Trust me, if you copy the middle 30%, the part with the face, there will be trouble and you may lose.

In the linked article I take a look at the basics of copyrights and trademarks and how they protect your work as well as the work of others. If you are in the business of art or photograhy these are things you need to know. In future articles I will explore copyrights and trademarks in more depth.

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