Frank Colson on sat 16 apr 05
With the massive amount of new and original works produced by potters, and
creative people of all type, it is important to be informed
about "copyrights". Under the old U.S. copyright law, an artist's work
could be protected for a maximum of only 56 years. In January of
1978, this protection was extended to the life of the artist, plus 50 years.
Before this change it was always necessary to display the word "copyright"
or use the symbol of a "c" inside a circle on the work. With the new law
protection is automatically granted the moment the work is created.
Specifically, the artist retains copyright of the work, even if it carries
no notice.
With the law as it currently stands, the artist has exclusive right to
publicly display the copyrighted work. For example, the collector who owns
an art work copyrighted by the artist must ask the artist's permission to
lend the work for museum exhibitions or other public display.
In today's competitive world with unlimited access of publications, mass
media, and, of course, the internet, there are endless
opportunities for infrindgment. It doesn't take a simple modification of a
work to assume that it is not being infrindged. Needless to say
that copyright interpertation can easily be distorted when defined
internationally, and even amoung artist's websites. In too many instances,
I see permission requested by a broad range of art/craft organizations,
museums, and other instituions to "reproduce" the artist's work for the
purpose of promotion, and/or printed publications. At just what point is
the line crossed when a reproduction is made without either identification
or permission of the creator???
For in depth definition and guidelines of your "copyright" rights, go to:
www.whatiscopyright.org/copyright.html
Frank Colson
www.R2D2u.com
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