Copyright, custom and collaboration: IP know-how for visual creators

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Knowing about intellectual property (IP) rights can give you a real advantage when negotiating deals with your commissioners. It can make you money beyond the sale of an artwork and ensures that you can still earn from your work even after you have published it in a magazine or book. And it can help you to avoid pitfalls when collaborating with others or using work that is not yours. This seminar will cover everything there is to know about copyright and how visual creators such as photographers, illustrators and fine artists can use IP to sustain their business and grow their reputation. The event is delivered in two modules covering different aspects of the subject. Module 1 (11 May 2010): Own-it has invited Derek Brazell, who regularly advises Association of Illustrators (AOI) members on contract and ethical issues, to explain copyright and related rights such as moral rights. We will discuss important clauses in licensing contracts in particular publishing contracts and why it is important to retain copyright in your work even when publishers increasingly ask for assignment. Derek will also advise you on how to negotiate the best deal when being commissioned and what questions to ask to avoid disputes or unfair agreements. We will clarify some myths related to copyright such as the belief that your client buys copyright when paying you for your freelance work. This seminar is organised by Own-it in partnership with Phoenix Brighton and the Association of Illustrators. Module 2 (18 May 2010): This module is all about collaboration and how to make money beyond licensing your work for publication. We will look into joint authorship when working as a collective where individual contributions can't be identified or how to clear rights when your artistic practice involves using found objects or photographs/illustrations. An artist will talk about business practice when working with a gallery and what they can and cannot do with their artists' works when promoting exhibitions and/or the work of the gallery. We will also explain artists' resale rights and how you can apply for your money. And finally, we will discuss other means of income generation such as merchandising and what to look out for when working with a manufacturer. The speakers will be Christian Zimmerman, Legal and Business Affairs Manager at the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) and Daniel Rudd, Artist's Resale Rights Manager at DACS. Other speaker to be confirmed.