Anna Steinberg Workshop (Notes)

Copyright 

• The right to copy 
• A type of property
• Valuable

Copyright ( UK)

• Automatic 
• Applies to the material form (not ideas)
• Lasts for 70 years from death of creator 

Exceptions

• Employed- employer owns the copyright
• Copied (needs to be original i.e. can’t be a standard heart shape etc)
• Too commonplace 

Why it matters 

• David Sheppard – missed out on the money of a quarter million copies because he sold the copyright
• Can create/exploit your own work even if you’ve sold it once

• If someone is still using it years later – check the paperwork- send them an invoice
• Be organised – everything on record – paper and on the computer 
• Credited for work – no one can manipulate it 

How to write a good complaint letter 

• Write how you feel then take out the angry stuff and rewrite it 
• Make sure it’s formal 
• Don’t mention court action but imply that you’re building up the case -i.e no replies, take names, log every encounter, take everyones name
• Be active not passive 

Don’t sell Copyright 

• Online protections –
  • Be wary of posting on sites that strip artwork of data
  • Include your name in the file title and meta data
  • Put your image in a reverse search to see where it is being used 

Orphan Work -( to avoid getting separated from your work)

• Make sure it’s not separated from your name
• For every job, everytime  – fill in an acceptance of commission work 
• Don’t get pushed around 
• If you ring them , follow up with an email to explain, clarify/ solidify what you meant 

3 things to do when you get a contract 

• Read it 
• Understand it 
• Act on it 

Go in positive to any dispute / disagreement

Look out for :

• All rights 
• Assignment of right 
• ‘Work For Hire’ – (Considering you as an employee so you’ll lose your copyright)

Rare exceptions to sell your copyright 

• Appropriate Fee
• Logo – (Logos are highly priced)
• Stamps 
• Films / Film industry 

Copyright belongs to the artist and is valuable 

What to do (if they say they want the copyright included but wont use the work anywhere else)? 

• Retain the copyright + offer an appropriate licence instead 
• Read the clients contract carefully and act on any problems

Payback

• Secondary rights
• Fill in form for ‘copier’ 
• Can make over £1000 through filling in this form 

Commissions –  always fill in a contract even if the commission for a friend 

Accepting a Commission 

• Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement 
• Can’t avoid negotiation 

Pricing

(prices are used for an example)

Magazine cover- £400 (e.g)

Small image in a mag £120 (e.g)