Copyright Information



What is a Copyright?

Copyright is the legal right that artists and creators have to determine how their works are used or reproduced. The purpose of copyright is twofold. First, it protects the artist’s right against piracy or illicit use. Secondly, it provides the economic incentive for artists to create. Copyright provides additional income for artists derived from the reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance and display of their own work.

for more information, check out US government website on copyright.



When Does Copyright Apply to a Work of Art?

As soon as an artist creates a work of art (painting, sculpture, photography, literature, film, etc.) it is protected by copyright. Artists (or their representatives) then have the right to determine how a work can be reproduced, and they are entitled to a fee when the work is reproduced. Although copyright laws can vary from country to country, generally the duration of an artist's copyright is 70 years after the death of the artist. After the 70 years expire, the work is no longer under copyright and can be reproduced without any additional clearances or copyright fees. It is considered to be in the “public domain.” Any artwork created by a living artist or an artist deceased fewer than 70 years is subject to copyright law. As such, the artist or their representative must be contacted for copyright clearance, and they are entitled to royalties.