Do my customers need to sign something about reprodcution rights?

[Rachel Dutton]

Do I need to have the people who purchase original art from me sign an agreement that they may not make prints of the work, and that I can make prints? Or is that assumed?

Thanks!

[timelady]

Legally, it is assume, but customers may not realise it. I don't have an agree but do put a line on my Certificate of Authenticy or receipt just stating that the copyright remains with me and reproductions cannot be made by the buyer.

Tina.

[Rachel Dutton]

Hm. A certificate of Authenticity. I like that idea. Care you share yours?

[Smokin]

A copyright notice somewhere , either on the front or the back should be enough to state it is protected. Example: © 2007 Jane Doe, (The year is the date of first publication).



copyright office circular 3 (http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ03.html#use)
Use of the notice may be important because it informs the public that the work is protected by copyright, identifies the copyright owner, and shows the year of first publication. Furthermore, in the event that a work is infringed, if the work carries a proper notice, the court will not give any weight to a defendant’s interposition of an innocent infringement defense—that is, that he or she did not realize that the work was protected. An innocent infringement defense may result in a reduction in damages that the copyright owner would otherwise receive.

[Kampher]

Legally, it is assume, but customers may not realise it. I don't have an agree but do put a line on my Certificate of Authenticy or receipt just stating that the copyright remains with me and reproductions cannot be made by the buyer.

Tina.

I do the same thing :thumbsup:

[JamesDFarrow]

Legally, it is assume, but customers may not realise it. I don't have an agree but do put a line on my Certificate of Authenticy or receipt just stating that the copyright remains with me and reproductions cannot be made by the buyer.

Tina.

Best way in my opinion. Also, requesting a buyer to sign an agreement (with fine print) may put them off buying your work. Signing things, especially things they don't know about, makes people nervous.

James :)