copyrights

Recently, I was asked why I began putting my copyright information on the backs of product, specifically, scrapbooking and papercrafting products. Read on;

There are two steps to the creation of a finished, crafted piece. The first step is mine, the second is the crafter's.

The first step is the "author" of the kit, in this case, me. This includes the art (icons), the surface design, the typography design, the compilation of materials, ie; ribbons, buttons, etc. This step of creating product is done starting with a "blank canvas" so to speak. When starting to design a new kit, it always starts first with RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! I create a trend book or boards to use as reference, spending a lot of time in this first phase of design. I buy and study magazines, textiles, home decor, stationery, fashion and more. I begin working in a sketch book, developing color palettes, looking at what crafters are currently interested including lifestyle trends.

Once I feel I've got a good handle on where to start, I continue to develop art in my sketch books. This may be brand new art or ideas/designs I've been developing over a period of time. I draw and draw and draw and then draw some more. Once I feel I've got a good start of the look and feel, I then proceed to creating the templates/die lines for each componant of the kit. This is extremely time consuming in most instances due to the precision of fitting everything into the alloted sizes, often determined by costing factors. Example; 25 designs to fit onto an 8x11" piece of chipboard, done in an assotment of 12. You get the idea, it's often about offering a high piece count with lots of fun choices.

Now it's time to scan my art into the computer where I then trace it and add in my pre-determined color palettes. So, I'm drawing everything twice, actually. At this point, I continue to refine, add to and develop the kit, figuring out how to fit it all into the templates. In the past, 85% of the final production work has been done by me. This means organizing the files, color proofing, some mocking up of samples to make sure everything works together size wise and color wise. I've invested in a high end color-proofing printer that helps ensure accuracy when product gets produced overseas.

So, you see that A LOT OF TIME, EFFORT, TALENT AND DEADLINE DRIVEN, SLEEPLESS NIGHTS go into the creation of product.

Now to discuss some unpleasant realities. It's very sad to me that there are COMPANIES out there who are currently using artist's work without permission, without payment, without credits. I personally know of three big names in the papercrafting industry who continually do this. I've even been approached about helping them do this to other artists!
This is particually true in the card crafting area. They are hiring papercrafters to "design" cards using other people's products, including surface art and icons. Then they hire graphic designers to very closely copy the art. I hope you're as horrified by this as I am!

When this happens, consumers are not aware of it, nor are the buyers in the stores, nor the end users. It's up to the artists to protect their work as much as possible because no one else will.

I have made the career decision to "license" rights to use my art on products instead of "selling" my work to manufacturers (for much higher dollar amounts). In order for me to be a successful, art licensing business, it's imperitive I retain all rights to my art. If it is used without permission by a manufacturer, it becomes vulnerable to being thought of as their intellectual property, even though I've registered with the US Copyright office.

Okay, next step is the crafter who assembles, or crafts with my product. Some use it as is, especially pre-designed card kits, others add to it for their creative fulfillment. However one decides to use it is up to them! I want the end-user to "make it their way"! What they have now created is known as a "derivitive" work. The original author is the artist who created the componants. This is the person who continues to own the copyright to the included art.

The reason I've begun including my copyright notice is not to deter crafters from creating their own masterpiece and putting their name on it. It's due to corporate theives who are getting away with stealing from artists. I encourage any crafter to add their name to their creations along with mine. This way we both continue to get credit for our efforts and my intellectual property is better protected.

Thank you for understanding why this is important for me and all artists, and for continuing to use and enjoy my art!

For more reading about this subject, here are some links:
http://www.copyright.gov/
http://artsandcraftslaw.blogspot.com/