Feb 10, 2010 03:24 PM
(This post was last modified: Feb 10, 2010 08:24 PM by Slankey™.)
Disclaimer: The information given here is based on US copyright law and is given for guidance only; you're advised to consult a copyright lawyer on copyright issues.
Well this is the World Wide Web, not everyone plays by the rules. So as a graphic artist, i wouldn't want anyone else using the graphic that i made unless i gave them permission, i think i can speak for everyone and say that they wouldn't want this either.
So i will explain to you what you can do to protect your intellectual property
There are several methods out there to protect your work.
Since this is aimed towards graphic artists, i will focus on several methods to protect images on the web, since applying for a copyright/trademark/patent takes years and costs money.
Methods
Watermark
How To Do It In Photoshop
How To Do It In GIMP
Plug-In For Photoshop
Plug-In For GIMP
Signature
Find a nice font at
1001FreeFonts
Dafont
UrbanFonts
Free-Fonts
I personally like the Graffiti ones, or the Calligraphy or Handwritten ones.
I have a few really nice ones in my font pack.
But Why Do you need this?
If you sign this image, you declare that you are the author!
Thus it belongs to you, pretty simple.
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: Is a Copyright Symbol Essential?
Answer: No, though it does make it very clear for people unfamiliar with copyright law. To prevent the defense of "innocent infringement", use the copyright symbol, date of creation, your name, and if you want, the words "all rights reserved". You don't have to be registered with the US Copyright Office to use the copyright notice.
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
Example
Not Signed.
[IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac168/Slankey/notsigned.png[/IMG]
Signed.
[img]http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Phantoria/slankey.png[/img]
If you look closely you see the Left Breast is signed 😎
However i made it blend it, you can do whatever. Just make sure it's visible to the human eye.
Copyright Symbol
You can add this in a watermark or make it clearly visible, it doesn't matter because it's not essential.
For More Detail Visit This site.
Click Here
Alt Codes
Documentation
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: If I Sell a Painting, Do I Lose Copyright?
Answer: Copyright in a painting remains the artist unless they sign it over to the new owner of the painting. You then relinquish the right to reproductions and, most likely, the right to make another identical or very similar painting. Buying the physical painting does not give someone copyright of the painting; you (or your agent) have to transfer copyright to the new owner in writing.
Note, however, that the purchaser may be able to defend their right to having a unique image, even if you retain the copyright. For example, if you have created 'limited edition' prints, you can never produce more than the number originally stipulated.
Make the ownership of copyright clear to anyone who buys a painting from you clear upfront by including it in the sales documentation. Take a leaf out of the book of artist Karen McConnell who says: "I sell most all of my original paintings with a 'Statement of Value' which includes (1) date of sale (2) price paid (3) whether it was purchased framed or unframed and (4) notice that copyright for the work remains with the artist. At the bottom of the form is a place for dated signatures from both myself and the purchaser. I keep a copy, they keep a copy."
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: What is Work for Hire?
Answer: Under US law, if you are employed by a company as an artist, copyright in your work belongs to your employer, not you, unless you have signed an agreement to the contrary. This is because you are 'working for hire'.
If you are a freelance artist, the situation is reversed. Copyright remains yours, unless the company which commissions you get to sign over copyright or sign a 'work for hire' agreement.
See this Sample Work for Hire Agreement and this Work for Hire FAQ from the US Copyright Office.
More Useful Documents!
http://www.getfreelegalforms.com/license...nt-simple/
http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2009/07/...contracts/
http://www.webappers.com/2009/07/17/free...designers/
I recommend that when you do submit a graphic, that you add a watermark until the individual agrees, and accepts your terms.
Source:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/copyrig...he_Web.htm
Keep Your Work Protected!!
What If Someone Violates My Agreement/Rights/Law?
It is to my understanding that HackForums does not promote copyright infringement, so if a user does infringe your rights/agreement, Report them immediately and send a pm to one of the admins/mods so they can do their job and enforce the rules. 😁
Protect Your Work As An Artist
Well this is the World Wide Web, not everyone plays by the rules. So as a graphic artist, i wouldn't want anyone else using the graphic that i made unless i gave them permission, i think i can speak for everyone and say that they wouldn't want this either.
So i will explain to you what you can do to protect your intellectual property
There are several methods out there to protect your work.
Since this is aimed towards graphic artists, i will focus on several methods to protect images on the web, since applying for a copyright/trademark/patent takes years and costs money.
Methods
- Watermark
- Signature
- Copyright Symbol
- Documentation
Watermark
How To Do It In Photoshop
How To Do It In GIMP
Plug-In For Photoshop
Plug-In For GIMP
Signature
Find a nice font at
1001FreeFonts
Dafont
UrbanFonts
Free-Fonts
I personally like the Graffiti ones, or the Calligraphy or Handwritten ones.
I have a few really nice ones in my font pack.
But Why Do you need this?
If you sign this image, you declare that you are the author!
Thus it belongs to you, pretty simple.
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: Is a Copyright Symbol Essential?
Answer: No, though it does make it very clear for people unfamiliar with copyright law. To prevent the defense of "innocent infringement", use the copyright symbol, date of creation, your name, and if you want, the words "all rights reserved". You don't have to be registered with the US Copyright Office to use the copyright notice.
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
Example
Not Signed.
[IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac168/Slankey/notsigned.png[/IMG]
Signed.
[img]http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/ad245/Phantoria/slankey.png[/img]
If you look closely you see the Left Breast is signed 😎
However i made it blend it, you can do whatever. Just make sure it's visible to the human eye.
Copyright Symbol
You can add this in a watermark or make it clearly visible, it doesn't matter because it's not essential.
For More Detail Visit This site.
Click Here
Alt Codes
Code
Alt 0169 © Copyright
Alt 169 ® Registered symbol
Alt 0153 ™ TrademarkDocumentation
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: If I Sell a Painting, Do I Lose Copyright?
Answer: Copyright in a painting remains the artist unless they sign it over to the new owner of the painting. You then relinquish the right to reproductions and, most likely, the right to make another identical or very similar painting. Buying the physical painting does not give someone copyright of the painting; you (or your agent) have to transfer copyright to the new owner in writing.
Note, however, that the purchaser may be able to defend their right to having a unique image, even if you retain the copyright. For example, if you have created 'limited edition' prints, you can never produce more than the number originally stipulated.
Make the ownership of copyright clear to anyone who buys a painting from you clear upfront by including it in the sales documentation. Take a leaf out of the book of artist Karen McConnell who says: "I sell most all of my original paintings with a 'Statement of Value' which includes (1) date of sale (2) price paid (3) whether it was purchased framed or unframed and (4) notice that copyright for the work remains with the artist. At the bottom of the form is a place for dated signatures from both myself and the purchaser. I keep a copy, they keep a copy."
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
Question: Artist's Copyright FAQ: What is Work for Hire?
Answer: Under US law, if you are employed by a company as an artist, copyright in your work belongs to your employer, not you, unless you have signed an agreement to the contrary. This is because you are 'working for hire'.
If you are a freelance artist, the situation is reversed. Copyright remains yours, unless the company which commissions you get to sign over copyright or sign a 'work for hire' agreement.
See this Sample Work for Hire Agreement and this Work for Hire FAQ from the US Copyright Office.
More Useful Documents!
http://www.getfreelegalforms.com/license...nt-simple/
http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2009/07/...contracts/
http://www.webappers.com/2009/07/17/free...designers/
I recommend that when you do submit a graphic, that you add a watermark until the individual agrees, and accepts your terms.
Source:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/copyrig...he_Web.htm
Keep Your Work Protected!!
What If Someone Violates My Agreement/Rights/Law?
It is to my understanding that HackForums does not promote copyright infringement, so if a user does infringe your rights/agreement, Report them immediately and send a pm to one of the admins/mods so they can do their job and enforce the rules. 😁