Copyright, who has the right!

[Mona Youssef]

Dear creative members,

As Tom has mentioned it” Sharing is caring”. For this reason, I would like to share with you my knowledge regarding copyright and this subject will be opened for discussion. Your comments and experience will be very much appreciated.

Because not every artist can afford to register his/her artwork and pay for each piece, I have invested on this issue to come up with the most economic legal ways that would suit the majority. Again caring for others have motivated me to do so. Although, I have been a fine artist for many years, it took me long time to learn little. I had to read many books about copyright, consulted with my lawyer, who is specialist in copyright, called the copyright department and spoke to different ones, and have gone through several experiences.

Finally, I found out that registering a painting or artwork sooner or later dose not guarantee that will not be copied by someone else. However, should the case reaches the court here are some of my tips:

1- There are specialists in investigating the date of the canvas and the age of colors. In this case, they will be able to know which artwork had been created first.

2-Keeping any sketches, negatives or photographs, from which the idea of artwork was composed/created. These can be a good prove of copyright. On the negatives or photographs there are always dates.

3-Putting the negatives, photos and sketches in an envelope and mail it to yourself with introduction letter to yourself describing the artwork and the date created and finished. Do not rush to open the envelop, just because you saw your name and address on it. When a situation arises and you have to take it to the court, the envelope must be opened by the Judge. This is considered as a authenticity of copyright and inexpensive.

4-Artists used to write the date beside their signature on the artwork. From my experience, please do not do that any more. The reason is that you are making it visible to those who are out there ready to copy your artwork. They simply can write older date. I usually writ it on the back of the canvas with big unerasable marker.

5- Do not reveal the location from which you have taken your photographs. Yes, they are waiting to know from you and go to the same place and take same shots, But they will still copy your painting/artwork. Those group” we copy right we do not copy wrong” believe that having the photographs is enough to prove their copyright, WRONG!

6-While the artwork is in progress, please take photographs of each step. Keep them in a safe cabinet or mail them to yourself. Professional art investigators can recognize the logic progress of each piece of art and what result should come to!

All the best


Mona Youssef
Fine Artist, B.F.A.
www.mona-gallery.com

[Mona Youssef]

Dave, thank you so much for taking the time to generously share your valuable knowledge with us, very much appreciated.

Yes, I believe that information should be shared freely. However, some have it their business, good business!

I will check all what you mentioned and let you know the result. Yes, indeed, it is very nice of who invented it and shared it with us.