Artist John T. Unger is getting an unwanted education in copyright law. His court case could have far-reaching intellectual property implications for the original work created by other artists and creative entrepreneurs.
Free call about how one artist is fighting to protect artists’ rights Read
When it’s okay to use someone else’s artwork on your site, how to do it, and when it’s probably best to ask ahead of time. Also, how to deal with someone who has swiped one of your images without crediting you AND how to credit images on your blog.
Using other artists’ images on your blog Read
Let’s say you take your work to a venue (gallery, home, business, etc.) because someone has asked to see it in person. After you arrive, you’re asked to leave your art at the venue so that other people can see it. It’s fine to do this as long as you have something in writing. Always
Don’t leave your artwork without a piece of paper Read
“Hot Trends in Art Licensing & the PR Tactics to Turn Up the Heat!” Presenters: Jeanette Smith, J’net Smith Inc. and Regina Cooper, freelance editor/PR consultant Date: April 30th, 2009 Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (Pacific Standard Time) Price: $60.00 For details and information on a variety of upcoming licensing classes you can take
Learn how to license your art–from the comfort of your own home Read
Monday’s Art Marketing Action newsletter about artist ethics created a stir in some circles. William Pilch took issue with this: 1. Don’t copy someone else’s art and try to pass it off as your own. Painting directly from photographs that were taken by someone else is not only unethical, it’s a copyright violation. What I
Ethics and Using Other People’s Photographs Read
I have been strangely silent on the Orphan Works Act–the piece of legislation that passed the Senate by unanimous consent (!–not even a record to know how your Senator voted). I have not been silent with my Congressman and Senator. I have voiced my opposition to the Act to both of them. As a former
The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008 Read
This came to my inbox. LICENSE YOUR ART FOR JEWELRYEarn Extra Cash While Keeping All Rights To Your Work Bite Size Jewelry is looking for good artists, designers, illustrators, and photographers to feature their work on an interesting, new type of jewelry they call "scrabble pendants." These unique accessories are hand-made from reclaimed wooden "Scrabble"
If you’re interested in licensing some designs Read
Okay, first I read this article about rip-off auctions on cruises. Amazing! I guess I’m slightly amazed that people on a cruise buy $30,000 art at an auction. But I’m flabbergasted that naive bidders have no problem dropping $30,000–on "fine art" they know nothing about. And I’m dumbfounded that an auction house would tell bidders
Taking care of art while it’s in someone else’s hands Read
Laura Milnor Iverson mentioned on Monday’s post something about California law and Certificates of Authenticity. She was right–partially. California law does require COAs, but only with the sale of multiples or fine prints. This site, which says several other states have similar laws, outlines the guidelines for the use of COAs with respect to the
When certificates of authenticity are necessary Read
This week I found out that the entire Web site design of one of my subscribers had been copied by another artist. Not just the look and feel, but the code! It looked identical except for the art. Apparently, the artist was innocent and it was her lazy designer’s fault. But this is bad mojo.
Web site design is copyrighted, too Read
