Resources & FAQ’s

There are numerous reasons that a work of art's owner might require a photograph of the painting, drawing, or object in question. You might be building an online portfolio, trying to sell your work, filing an insurance claim, or just sharing a new piece with your friends and family.

In any of these cases, everyone involved is going to be happiest looking at the best images you can shoot. Assuming you do not own a high-end camera, professional lighting equipment, release cables, and tripods, there remain at least four steps anyone can take to ensure reasonably good pictures of art.

Think Like a Carpenter

How you compose your shot matters, and where you want to be "square, plumb and level." Get your camera at the right angle to the piece being photographed. If it is hanging on the wall, center yourself in order to point the lens squarely. It's also important that the lens and the work of art are on parallel planes when you shoot. Angling your viewfinder up, down, or sideways is not going to achieve the best result, face your work directly.

If the work is a large painting or drawing, lay it flat on the floor and shoot from above looking down (use a chair or step-ladder to obtain ample distance if it's really large). Tilting it against the wall from the baseboard or the edge of a table, however slightly, will distort the view.

Additionally, if you are taking a picture of a three-dimensional object that is sitting on a flat surface, position yourself at eye level with the object. This may mean kneeling.

Indirect Lighting is Good

And natural indirect lighting is even better. A room with windows can offer indirect sunlight, even on an overcast day. You do, however, want to avoid sunlight striking your object directly, as this will cause glare. (It's also an absolutely horrible idea to put most works of art in direct sunlight, but that's another story.)

Now, if you haven't got windows or are stuck in the gloom of monsoon season, artificial lighting will work. In this scenario, two or more light sources preferably of similar wattage strengths should be set at about 45º angles to the piece, off to either side. "Off" as in: out of the peripheral vision of both you and the camera lens. Your goal here is to light semi-naturally but not, I repeat not to cast shadows. Manipulate wisely with an eye toward even lighting.

No Tripod? No Problem.

Yes, well. It really is something of a problem, because still photography is best done with a tripod. Lacking this piece of equipment, however, you can do the following to minimize any motion:

Make your own tripod: If you have a stool, or a chair that you can set your camera on at the right height, do this. Just make sure the surface is level and stable. If possible, frame your shot and then use your camera’s timer to take it. You will have a clearer, more stable shot with your hands off of the camera.

If a freehand shot is necessary, use both hands to hold the camera. Draw both elbows in to your midpoint until they're close to touching one another, then firmly hold elbows and as much of your forearms as possible to your torso/chest. Your hands will be free to aim and shoot, but your arms won't be moving much. Hold your breath just before and while hitting the shutter.

If you’ve got a few extra bucks on hand, you can find a decent tripod online for under $30.

Turn OFF the Flash!

Paraphrasing the words of Frankenstein's monster, "Flash BAD."

Unless you know how to "bounce" flash from the camera to a middle surface and then to your object, turn this function off. In all seriousness, a flash aimed directly at the piece is, 99 times out of 100, your enemy when photographing art. If there is a highlight or shiny area to be found, your flash will find it, spotlight it brilliantly, and render it nearly unrecognizable in the resultant image. The glaring spot will bear little resemblance to that which a person actually sees with the naked eye.

The flash function also has an amazing talent for leveling tones, evening-out contrasts, and wiping away shadows. While this may prove a blessing in select pictures from family reunions, it is not one bit helpful in faithfully representing your work of art. You, and anyone else who's looking, want to see the piece the way the artist composed and executed it, not as your flash decides is optimum.

In summary, to take the best possible shot of your work of art you need to:

• Make sure your view is square, plumb, and level;
• Use indirect lighting;
• Keep your camera steady;
• Turn off your flash.

Additionally, if your camera has multiple settings, shoot at the highest resolution possible. This will give viewers the best experience with a larger, higher-quality photo.

Yes, it's really just that simple! For those about to shoot, we (who will be viewing the results) salute you.

Here is a further reading: http://www.dallasartsrevue.com/resources/How-to-Photo-Art.shtml

Creating an online portfolio is a must for any artist nowadays. Luckily, there are many websites that make doing so fast and easy. Having an online portfolio will boost your audience, allow you to share your work at no cost, and let fans of your work pass it on with ease. Here are a few websites where you can get started:

http://carbonmade.com/

Carbonmade offers free, great looking portfolio’s that are simple to set up. Unlike a wordpress site however, you are limited to a portfolio of your work and a simple about page.

http://www.behance.net/

The Behance Network provides free, clean and professional portfolios. Artists are allowed unlimited space for the media at no cost. However, new users must request an invitation to join by submitting a description of your creative work.

http://www.flickr.com/

Flickr has a wide user base of artists and photographers. You can upload your photos, organize it into sets, and write descriptions for each. Flickr lets you follow other users and each photo has multiple viewing options and room for comments. An unlimited-storage, “pro” account costs $2 a month, though you probably won’t need it. Tip: Join groups such as the Lansing Flickr Pool to get started and find others from your community.

http://wordpress.org/

Wordpress offers users a free blog. However, the beginning setup is very bare and you will probably want to install a new theme, many of which are available for free in portfolio formats. The upside to using Wordpress is that you will have more flexibility in adding multiple pages and writing about your work.

By keeping up to date with a few social media sites throughout the week, you can build your presence as an artist and make new connections with fans and artists alike.

https://twitter.com/

Twitter can seem pointless or confusing to users not already familiar with the service, but once you dig in, there are many benefits to using it.

You can connect with people you know, and follow others whose work you like, and discover new artists. You can use Twitter gives you an inside look into others’ processes and work. Don’t be afraid to start conversations, and make sure your own profile is set to public to make the most of the service. Be sure to say “hello” to us @ArtsCouncilGL.

You can learn more at 10 Twitter Tips for Artists

https://www.facebook.com/

Facebook can be a powerful tool to engage and grow your audience with. One of the major positives to using the service is that most people will already have a profile that you can connect with. Start by creating a page for yourself as an artist, then upload some of your work. Whenever you have work to share or news regarding your art, be sure to post it on your Facebook page. The Huffington Post has written a more in-depth article on How Artists Can Use Facebook.

https://www.tumblr.com/

One of the fastest, easiest ways to both put your work online and have a place to share your thoughts is Tumblr.com. Their blogging platform is known for its simplicity, and they make it easy to create a great-looking place to put your work online. Tumblr also has a huge focus on sharing others’ posts, so if you interact with others and they like your work, it’s very easy for them to pass it along.

Why is an artist statement important?

An artist statement is an essential part of a good portfolio. Gallery owners respect the professionalism of a good statement. A good statement allows people who love your work to find out more about you, offers your audience more ways to connect with you, and increases their appreciation and perceived value of your work. Think of an artist statement as a complement to an artist’s work that emphasizes key aspects of the artist and his/her work. It’s an introduction that covers facts, and not instructions on what to experience or how to think and feel. Just about all artists want as many people as possible to appreciate their art. A good artist statement works towards this end by informing the audience where the artist cannot.

What makes a good artist statement?

Three things: Clarity, Brevity, and Focus.

Clarity. Get to the point but don’t exhaust the viewer by doing it. Saying too much can ruin the message. Good writing is clear, easy to read, and direct. A language that everyone can understand. Make your writing less complex by avoiding long sentences, obscure references, and artspeak.

Brevity. Be concise. Rare is the good statement that is more than 300 words (one page, single-spaced). For some exhibitions, statements can be restricted to as little as 100 words. Most people read only two or three paragraphs (if that), which is why the key information should be at the top of the statement.

Focus. Before even thinking about the specifics, ask yourself: What am I trying to accomplish as an artist? What is this specific piece trying to accomplish? What influenced me while creating it? Is the theme communicated well? Then write your statement accordingly.

What is the most important thing in an artist statement?

1. Why you create your art, and what it means to you.

2. What does it signify, what are you trying to say?

3. How did you make it and what is it made out of?

4. What it means to you. (brief)

Don't bog readers down, but rather entice them to want to know more. As with any good first impression, your statement should hook and invite further inquiry, like a really good story is about to unfold. Give too little, not too much. Address and answer commonly asked questions about your art. Save the complicated stuff for those who progress to the next level.

What things should an artist leave out of a statement?

This is hard to generalize, as different artists emphasize different things. As a rule though, art theory should be used sparingly. Artspeak and complex ideas may muck up a short artist statement. If there are key aspects that steer your work, then certainly include them, but do it in an accessible and concise fashion. Avoid categorizing your work or comparing yourself to others.

What should the tone of an artist statement be?

Your statement is about you, so personalize it. Write it in the first person, not like you're talking about yourself in the abstract. Infuse it with your unique perspective. Whenever possible, make it conversational, like you're speaking directly to readers (Note: A good editor can work wonders here). The more complicated, theoretical, or impersonal your statement, the more trouble people will have trying to hack through it and connecting with you and your art on meaningful levels.

A lot of artists approach self-promotion with dread—it may not be natural for them, and they would just prefer to let their work speak for themselves. Even renowned artists worry about the details of their marketing. All artists must promote themselves to be successful. And most artists do a lot of their own promotion. Make the process self-reflective. It can be enriching and actually help you understand your own work better.

The Lansing region prides itself on being a welcoming community and strives to provide the best experience to all guests that visit. It is our goal to be the most sensory-friendly city in Michigan! Therefore, the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau is collaborating with regional attractions to provide a supportive and welcoming environment for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities, sensory processing disorder, and other neurodiverse individuals and their families.

For more information about how you and/or your organization can provide sensory-friendly programming, visit https://www.lansing.org/things-to-do/sensoryfriendly/#sensory-programs

As an artist, it’s important to keep track of your sales and stay on top of your financial records. At the least, you should be keeping a journal of expenses with receipts of sale.

We’ve compiled a list of resources that can help you sell your art and improve your record-keeping.

Freshbooks (limited free plan) is an online application for invoicing, bookkeeping, time tracking, and payment collecting. You can send invoices through email, or even regular mail. Freshbooks allows you to get paid directly, in any currency and can export all of the information you need when tax time comes along.

Quickbooks (30-day trial) Offers a variety of products for online, Mac, and PC users.

Billings for Mac (21-day trial) makes billing simple and handles time tracking, invoicing, and sending statements as well. The Pro version (Billings Pro) also features iPhone and online applications.

Zoho Invoice (free for 5 invoices/month) is an online application that lets you send and manages invoices, track your expenses, manage your books, and collect payments.

Kashoo (30-day trial) is an online accounting application with the ability to import data from your bank accounts as well as Freshbooks.

Xero (180-day or 5 invoices trial) is an online application for accounting, invoicing, and accepting payments. You can also import transactions from your own bank account.

Why write a business plan?

A business plan will not only help you get your business off the ground but will continue to act as a guide and reference as you grow. A few ways that a plan will assist your business venture are:

The process of putting a business plan together, including the thought put in before beginning to write it, forces one to take an objective, critical, unemotional look at the business project in its entirety.

A business plan is an effective operating tool. If properly used, a business plan will help manage the business and work effectively toward its success.

Lenders require one. A completed business plan communicates ideas to others and provides the basis for a financial proposal.

If you haven't written your plan yet, your business is still in the fantasy stages. That isn't harsh; it's how it is in the real world. A company's business plan is what lenders such as banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration use in deciding to lend you money. It's the main company document that your employees, and you, use to gauge your company's success and to make decisions about what you should do first, second, or not at all.

If you're starting a home-based business on a shoestring, some of these suggestions probably aren't necessary, but you still should create a plan that outlines your goals, expected costs, marketing plan, and exit strategy. A business plan is your road map for how you expect to succeed and how you'll measure success.

Guide to Business Plans

Here’s a quick nine-step guide to what you will need in your company's business plan:

1. An executive summary outlining goals and objectives.

The executive summary introduces your business strategy and probably is the most important section for lending institutions. If you can't persuade a loan officer in the first two or three pages that you've got a viable business proposal, you're going to leave empty-handed. This summary is also important as a communication tool for employees and potential customers who need to understand, and get behind, your ideas.

2. A brief account of how the company began.

Clearly explain the origins behind the company's creation and how you or your business associate came up with the idea to start your business.

3. Your company's goals.

Explain in a few paragraphs your short- and long-term goals for the company. How fast do you think it will grow? Who will be your primary customers?

4. Biographies of the management team.

The management section should include the names and backgrounds of lead members of the management team and their respective responsibilities.

5. The service or product you plan to offer.

A key aspect of this section will be a discussion of how your product or service differs from everything else on the market.

6. The market potential for your service or product.

Remember that you've got to convince lenders, employees and others that the market you're after is relatively large and growing. You'll need to do some research for this section. If it's a locally based business, you need to assess the demand for your offering within an xx-mile radius, based on what you determine is a reasonable distance from your business. If it's a Web-based business or a business that relies on both the Internet and local traffic for revenues, you'll need to evaluate demand on a local and/or a national basis. A research report from sites such as Forrester Research can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. But you may be able to get some basic information simply by using the Web and its many search engines and directories.

7. A marketing strategy.

How do you plan to tell the world you're open for business? Will you rely exclusively on word of mouth (not a good plan unless you've already got a reputation)? Will you advertise in print, television or on the Web (or all three)? Will you use online services to get your company listed on search engines and advertised on other Web sites? You'll also need to include how much you plan to spend on marketing.

8. A three to five-year financial projection.

This section should include a summary of your financial forecasts, with spreadsheets showing the formula you used to reach your projections. You'll need balance sheets, income statements, and cash-flow projections for the entire forecast period. The summary in this section is also where you would tell prospective lenders how much money you'd like to borrow to cover your startup costs. The assumptions that you make in this section will make or break your company's success. If you're unsure about using this kind of financial modeling, consult a professional or invest in financial management software. It's worth the money.

9. An exit strategy.

All good business plans include a section that lays out the benchmarks you'll use in deciding to call it quits. The strategy could be based on a dollar figure, revenue growth, the market's reception to your idea, or a consensus among partners.

Additional Resources

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has created a 60+ page Guide to Starting a Small Business (PDF) that walks you through each step of the process and provides plenty of valuable information.

Planning for and recording the finances associated with your personal life and work alike can seem like a daunting task. However, it’s important to stay on top of your finances, and the records you create will help immensely when tax season comes along. These tips and resources should make the process easier and more manageable.

General Budgeting Tips

Adapted from: ABMG: Budgeting Tips

1. Evaluate your spending. First, make a master list of all your expenses. List living expenses and necessities first: rent, mortgage, food, utilities, taxes, clothing, insurance, and medical costs. Then add a line for entertainment. Finally, the last line should be for investments and savings. If you budget for investments and savings as a regular expense, you'll be more likely to set money aside.

2. Earmark a percentage of your income for each expense. Figuring out how much of your income goes toward each expense is a key step in developing a successful budget. Once you have done so, if you classify expenses as either fixed or flexible, it will be easier to make cuts. Remember, it is generally flexible expenses that erode earnings.

3. Rank your spending priorities. Label your expenses according to importance, from "essential" to "unimportant." You can then look at eliminating some lesser-important items, which may free up enough funds for a modest investment program.

4. Pay yourself first. Write a monthly check to a special account rather than leaving the amount in your regular checking account. Your special account could be a savings account, money market fund, or Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Alternatively, many insurance companies and mutual funds have monthly checking account deduction plans that allow you to make a regular contribution to a wide variety of funding choices. However, you choose to do it, paying yourself first is the foundation of a disciplined approach to savings.

Mint.com

Mint brings all your financial accounts into one place, where you can set budgets and track your spending. The service is 100% free, and uses the same security that regular banks do. http://www.mint.com

Bundle.com

Similar to Mint, the online money management service Bundle adds a social aspect to online budgeting. With Bundle, you can see data from your city, and improve your budgeting by seeing what others are doing. Like Mint, bundle is free of charge and uses bank-level security. http://www.bundle.com/

While we can’t recommend specific accountants for you, sites such as http://www.accountant-finder.com/ have put together directories of accounting professionals across most localities. Use them in combination with the following guide in order to find a tax professional that suits your needs.

Taxpayers of all types can benefit from hiring a tax accountant. Before you spend your hard-earned cash, here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and find the right professional for your situation.

Understand Why You Need a Tax Accountant

You should take some time to focus on exactly what you need your tax accountant to do. Here are some common situations:

Preparing your own taxes is time-consuming, stressful, or confusing.

You want to make sure your tax returns are accurate.

You need specialized advice and tips.

You would like to pay as little taxes as possible and need detailed planning and advice.

You are facing a tax problem, such as filing back taxes, paying off a tax debt, or fighting an IRS audit.

You run a business, invest in the stock market, own rental property, or live outside the United States.

Finding Tax Accountants

You should find an experienced tax accountant who specializes in the areas you need help with. Here are some tips for finding the right professional who has the specialized tax expertise you need:

Referrals can be your best bet. Ask everyone you can think of: family, friends, business owners, financial advisers, and attorneys. It will help to ask someone who has a similar tax situation to yours.

Be wary of an accountant who promises you big refunds or that says you can deduct everything. You, not the accountant, are ultimately responsible for the information on your tax return.

Do not be afraid to shop around or to change accountants if you are not comfortable.

Retail tax franchises such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service offer tax services for individuals who need to file relatively straightforward tax returns. Some tax preparers will be more experienced than others, and you can sometimes find CPAs and Enrolled Agents working in these offices. (Here's a tip: Prices are often determined by how many tax forms need to be filled out. Ask if you can meet with a CPA, enrolled agent, or senior tax preparer. You'll pay the same, but you'll get to speak with a seasoned professional.)

Local, independent tax firms often specialize in the tax needs of individuals and small businesses in their neighborhoods. Again, some independent tax accountants will be more experienced than others. Ask if the firm has the expertise to handle your taxes.

Types of Accounting Professionals:

Enrolled Agents (EAs) are tax professionals who have passed a rigorous test and background check administered by the IRS. Enrolled agents often specialize and are best for complex tax situations.

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are accountants who have passed the rigorous CPA Exam and are licensed by the state they work in. CPAs will specialize in a specific area, such as audits, tax, or business consulting. CPAs are best at complex accounting work, and not all CPAs handle tax issues.

Tax Attorneys are lawyers who have chosen to specialize in tax law. Attorneys are best at complex legal matters, such as preparing estate tax returns or taking your case before the US Tax Court.

Whether art is your livelihood or just a hobby, it’s important to have both yourself and your work protected. There are many organizations that provide liability, property, and health insurance plans catered to artists.

Fractured Atlas

Fractured Atlas is a non-profit organization supporting the arts and creative industries. They’ve created a variety of guides that help artists find and purchase plans that fit their interests the best.

They have also compiled pocket guides with information specific to various disciplines (e.g. dance, teaching artists, crafts, etc.).

The Michigan State University College of Law has put together a collection of articles and resources which cover many of the housing law issues that you might encounter. The site includes common documents, sample letters, and links to official housing law documents.

Find out more at: http://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/rhc/publications.html

Entrepreneurship drives economic growth and builds strong cities. Starting a business may seem overwhelming, but the Lansing area has a large number of organizations, businesses, and resources that will help you get an idea off of the ground.

LEDC

The Lansing Economic Development Corporation is working hard to bring new ventures to our region and assist in growing strong, successful businesses. They help connect businesses with Lansing’s aggressive incentives that will make operating in the region easier and offer a variety of programs to bring you capital and foster development. They have a wealth of resources online at http://www.lansingedc.com/

Step-By-Step Guide

One of the resources offered by the LEDC is a guide (& checklist) to starting a business in the City of Lansing. The guide walks you through the process, from creating a business plan to opening your doors, with helpful tips, resources, and contacts along the way LEDC Step-By-Step Guide to Starting a Business

(http://www.lansingedc.com/modules.phpname=Pages&sp_id=19&smenu_id=10http://www.lansingedc.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=19&smenu_id=10)

While we can’t recommend specific lawyers, there are many online resources that can help you find legal counsel in your area by searching location or area of practice.

http://www.lawyers.com

http://www.martindale.com

Additionally, there are some organizations that connect volunteer lawyers to artists, providing legal advice and at times, pro bono legal services.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

The VLA maintains an Art Law Line, where artists and art organizations can speak to law students and volunteer attorneys regarding arts-related legal questions. You can find the hotline, and learn more at http://www.vlany.org/legalservices/artlawline.php

ArtServe Michigan

Artserve is listed in the National Directory of Volunteer Lawyers for Arts Organizations and may be able to connect you with legal assistance regarding your arts-related needs. http://www.artservemichigan.org/

Michigan State University College of Law: Small Business & Nonprofit Clinic

At the MSU College of Law Small Business & Nonprofit Clinic, second and third-year law students practice law under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty who are members of the State Bar of Michigan. They offer legal services to small businesses, startups, and nonprofits at fees that are a fraction of what a legal professional might cost. http://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/sbnp/

Factors to consider:

Choosing the right structure for your business requires consideration of a number of factors:

Your vision regarding the size and nature of your business;

The level of control you wish to have;

The business’ vulnerability to lawsuits;

Tax implications of the different ownership structures;

Expected profit (or loss) of the business;

Your need for access to cash out of the business for yourself.

Types of Business Entities

The traditional types of business entities include the following:

Limited Liability Companies (LLC);

Sole Proprietorship;

Nonprofit Corporations.

The most common artist-centered business entities are Limited Liability Companies and Sole Proprietorships. Below are descriptions of the three types of business structures to consider.

 LLC:

LLCs are designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership;

Advantages:

No personal liability for debts of company;

Relatively inexpensive to form/maintain;

Members/owners may participate in management;

Tax benefits;

No restriction on number of owners;

Limited state regulation, owners can determine how nearly every aspect of company will function.

Disadvantages:

Hard to transfer ownership;

Newest form of business structure, and some people, including potential creditors, may be unfamiliar.

 Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietor is an individual who owns and operates the business. A person benefits from 100% of the profits and is personally responsible for all of the debts and liabilities of the business. Unlike the LLC or Corporation, there is no legal separation between the individual and the business.

Advantages:

Easy to establish;

All profits go directly to owner;

Owner controls all aspects of business;

Low start-up costs;

Tax advantages;

Easy to terminate business.

Disadvantages:

Unlimited liability both for any debts incurred by the business and any other liability that might arise;

Hard to raise money with no investors and only one owner;

Possible inexperience of single owner.

 Corporations – In General

Corporation – an association of persons, created by law and existing as an entity with powers and liabilities independent of those of its members.

Members:

· Profit Corporations – owners are shareholders

· Nonprofit Corporations – owners are members or shareholders

Management: Directors and officers, usually elected by shareholders or members

Governance: Prescribed by law, bylaws of the corporation and resolutions and decisions of shareholders or members

Formation: File Articles of Incorporation with the State

 Nonprofit Corporations (NPC)

A nonprofit corporation is a corporation formed to carry out a charitable, educational, religious, literary or scientific purpose. NPCs can raise funds by receiving public and private grant money and donations from individuals and companies. Generally, NPCs are not taxed on money they make because of the benefits they contribute to society.

Advantages:

No personal liability for debts of corporation

Income not taxed by government.

Disadvantages:

Do have to apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the federal government

Do have to incorporate with the State

Some formalities – every year must

File 990 tax return with the IRS

File Annual Statement with the State by October 1st ($20 filing fee)

Copyright protection subsists in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device:

1. Original:

• The artist created the work
• The artist did not copy it from someone else

2. Works of authorship include:

• Literary works, musical works (including any accompanying words), dramatic works (including any accompanying music), pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic, sculptural works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works, sound recordings, and architectural works.

NOTE: These categories are viewed broadly – e.g., computer programs may be “literary works” and maps & architectural plans may be “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works.”

3. Fixed means:

• In a tangible form of expression
• Therefore, choreographic work that has not been notated or recorded, or a performance that has not been written or recorded is not fixed in a tangible form.

 Obtaining Copyright

As an artist, you don’t need to jump through any hoops to obtain copyright. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created.

However, there are some benefits to specifically registering your work for copyright. These include:

• Public Notice (increased damages if your copyright is violated by others)
• Necessary if you want to bring suit
• Easier to prove ownership

Registering copyright to your work is a simple, straightforward process. Fees start at $35 and registration can happen directly online or by mailing in forms. You can get started at the Electronic Copyright Office.

Rights Granted by Copyright

The creator (aka Author) gets exclusive rights of:

Reproduction

• Sale & Distribution
• Performance
• Display

Derivative Work Rights And, Transferability:

• Can be assigned (sold)
• Can be licensed

Where Copyright Doesn’t Apply

Copyright doesn’t protect names, titles, slogans, or business names.

The Author may not be entitled to exclusive rights to:

• Works prepared by Employee within scope of employment (Employer becomes the Author).
• Works for Hire: Specially ordered or commissioned work (if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work shall be considered Work-for-Hire).
• Authors of Joint Work, in which authors are co-owners of the copyright, unless they agree otherwise.

Copyright Infringement

Simply stated, copyright infringement is when one’s work is used without permission.

Test: If an ordinary observer looking at the original & alleged copied work together would recognize that copying has taken place, then there is probably a case of infringement.

Exemptions:

There are some works that are exempt from copyright infringement

cases. These are:

Fair Use:

• Parody/Satire
• News Reporting
• Educational Use – Teaching & Research

Compulsory Licensing:

• Copyright law provides for the compulsory licensing of published pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works for transmission by noncommercial educational broadcast stations. It does not permit any use of audiovisual works.
• Simply stated, a copyright owner has no right to prevent the use of copyrighted work by PBS.
• However, a compulsory license does not permit a program to be drawn extensively from a compilation of pictures, graphics, or sculptures; and it does not permit any use of audiovisual works.

For further information, see http://www.copyright.gov/ by the U.S. Copyright Office. They have a wealth of copyright-related resources, including a list of frequently asked copyright questions.