These are notes from Bobbie Berenson w. a Presentation at Life the Universe and everything. It was about protecting your art. Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker. I hope this is her website, but I’m not sure: I tried to google it. https://www.spa-fine-art.com/leslie-berenson

– You don’t need to be an expert on copy write law to protect your art.
– You need to credit that artist.
– Articles: 84 times artist caught a company selling art and selling as their own don’t be afraid, be prepared. Theft is rampant. Unfair use is a problem.
– Make it hard for thieves to steal
– It is easy to copy art and reuse it.
– Tributes and other fan art don’t have many hard rules.
– Big companies watch print on demand sites.
– Keep up to date of the law.
– Parody does fail under fair use, such as bubble and plays with humans
– Best to avoid the stress.

Be aware:
– International artists are also involved in copy write theft.
– Make sure to credit artists.
– Art stolen by corporations is the worse.
– Stolen art can be sold at local venues and not get caught.
– One con artist had little contact info so they can’t be traced such as a PO Box. Came in late and left early to avoid detection.
– Art designers get stolen.
– Posters companies will print Copywrite art.
– Watermark can help prevent theft.
– Solution: write a letter to the offender to remove the art.
– Posted an alert to fans to keep an eye out. Encourage your fans to report abuse. It’s not professional to steal.
– She made her own version to print on demand shop.
– If you work on fonts, make sure you use the ones that are free or purchased for use.

Be prepared:
– Need to be proactive. Identify your pictures. Label each share.
– Use watermark may be in face put name on the edge
– Use low resolution to make look good 75 mpi can look good on screen.
– If art shows up on a screen, it can be used.
– Include art, Copywrite, title, and article.
– Use caution when using social media.
– State use of how something can be used.
– Make sure Instagram shots are blocked or have lighting that will discourage theft.
– Attribution: adding name and title.
– If you repost art, comment on the share, say thanks, and put a link on the website.
– Use the copy write symbol. It shows o value of your art.
– If reference art, reference artist name, who made the link, when, how found it, and where people can find more art like this.
– Include a link to the artist’s website.
– When posting an image clearly state rights for use.
– CC license > can provide limited use of artist work.
– Many art-sharing sites have
– Obama’s hope poster was stolen from a photographer. Mannie Garcia. Fairly the thief tried to destroy evidence of theft

Be watchful:
– Theft is frequently done by companies.
– Rapper Ford stole art from the Fire Watch game.
– How to find out if robbed
– A. friend and family
– B. Do a reverse image search
– Keep an eye for sources that use the type of art that you do.
– Be humble and considerate.
– Often these companies employ artists who don’t get paid enough for original designs often they will borrow art from others. They are rushed and paraphrase.

Be ready for action
– All artist show how the rights to their works
– Different countries have different laws.
– If you need a lawyer may be needed to
– Make a better product and customized it to uniqueness.
– People not buying art, they buy you
– You can copywriter your art legally for a small fee
– Disney has stolen art.

When getting a lawyer
– Use a real lawyer it is worth it
– Any expense to get thief may be eligible for tax reductions
– Do a paper trail
– Is the fight worth it? Samples of letters are on the internet.

Overseas:
– If overseas companies: little chance you can do anything.
– China Company stole
– Encourage your fans to expose an art thief.
– Family and friends bring anger> and want to protect you
– Look to your artist friends.
– It cannot be an obvious imitation.
– Cannot make it grey schedule
– If it can be differentiated, it is not original.
– Wratep Sadat rapper stole art for his cover.
– Some use the excuse the X percentage is different. > Not an excuse.
– Musician black bear stole art.
– When you buy art: showing support, your support shows their efforts are worth it. In addition, you tell them you want to see more of their art.

Where to get more help:
– Illustrators’ society
– Illustrator association
– Architecture illustrations society.
– If someone has stolen art, they may have stolen other artists and see if you can find what other artists and team up.
– Be civil and professional
– If they fight, you go to the host such as itsy or such to make an official complaint.
– If someone making money get a cease and desist letter.