Visual Art Licensing and Distribution

Whether you’re an artist looking to license your work or a business seeking to use art in your projects, understanding the difference between rights in the artistic work and the physical piece is crucial. Our expert team is here to guide you through the complexities of art licensing to ensure your creations are properly protected and your rights are safeguarded.

Art licensing involves granting permission to use your artwork under specific terms and conditions. It’s not just about the physical piece of art but also about the rights associated with the artistic work itself.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Rights in the Artistic Work: This is the copyright within the artwork. This includes the right to reproduce, display, exploit, and create derivative works based on the artwork. Licensing these rights allows others to use your work in various ways, such as for merchandise, advertising, or digital media.
• Rights in the Physical Piece: This refers to the ownership of the actual physical artwork. Owning the physical piece does not automatically grant rights to reproduce or use the copyright within the artistic work. For example, buying a painting doesn’t mean you have the right to print it on T-shirts or use it in a commercial campaign.

If you want to license the copyright within your artwork to someone else, clearly specify the scope of the license. eg, how long will the license go for? What exactly will the licensee be able to use the copyright for? (be as specific as possible)

Ready to take control of your art licensing? Contact Sanicki Lawyers today and let us help you navigate the world of art licensing with confidence, so you can focus on creating and sharing your masterpieces.

Did you know Sanicki Lawyers also has a Wills and Estates team? It’s important to think about what will happen with your art when you’re gone. Navigating the transfer of intellectual property rights and entitlements for a deceased estate can be complex, so it’s important to have a legally sound plan in place before you go. Unlike most other firms, the team at Sanicki Lawyers are experts in both Intellectual Property Law Wills and Estates.