Archive of Henry Lydiate‘s Artlaw column, published in Art Monthly since 1976. Have a legal question about your career? Check our Directory or send us a legal query.
Between Thought and an Expression
Two different copyright queries have been received, the responses to which should prove interesting and informative. “I was recently commissioned to produce a set of line drawings for a company who wanted to reproduce and…
Public Images
‘Public image, you got what you wanted, public image belongs to me, it’s my entrance, my own creation.’* This week I was approached by Recession Pictures who, despite having a name fresh from Britain in the eighties, have…
Dear Henry…
The recent articles on copyright brought the following correspondence, (genuinely received, but here suitably disguised to safeguard the artists concerned), which provides useful and intriguing illustrations of copyright law in operation. Dear Henry, I wonder if you would…
Copyright: A Suitable Case for Reform
Old Copyright law. ‘Who is going to achieve change? Not the Arts Council, not the RAAs, not the artists’ groups, not the arts organisations not the art schools, not the dealers and collectors; not…
When I Paint my Masterpiece
Dear Henry, Recently I was amazed to see a portrait I had painted reproduced photographically on a poster in the city where I live. I managed to acquire a copy of the poster and saw…
Self-Expression and the Law
On Tuesday 25 October 1977 Kerry Trengove was sealed inside a 15ft x 10ft breeze block bunker on the ground floor of the Acme Gallery in Covent Garden. He then dug a 3ft sq. hole to…
Worldwide, and Droit Moral
Copyright protection in the United Kingdom was dealt with last month, by explaining the nature of copyright (it only applies to ‘artistic works’ and ‘works of artistic craftsmanship’); who owns the copyright (the author, at first);…
Copyright Protection Abroad
Copyright protection in the United Kingdom was dealt with last month, by explaining the nature of copyright (it only applies to ‘artistic works’ and ‘works of artistic craftsmanship’); who owns the copyright (the author, at first); what…
DACS
‘New society for visual artists to protect their copyright and collect their copyright dues in the UK and worldwide.’ No kidding; and, what’s more, it’ll only cost £15 per year! The purpose of this piece is to persuade every…
Holography
Twentieth century visual artists’ propensity for introducing modern technology into their creative processes not only poses problems for traditionally minded perceivers, but also in other even more conservative areas – especially the law. Because something is happening here But…
Copyright Law
The law of copyright is vast and complicated: what follows is a brief outline of the law as it affects visual artists who should seek professional legal advice on any problems they may have. What is copyright? Copyright…
Private Investigations
It’s a mystery to me – the game commences for the usual fee – plus expenses confidential information – it’s in a diary this is my investigation – it’s not a public inquiry* Back from the motorway the…
New Legal Rights
Parliament gives artists two new legal rights: to earn extra cash from their work; and to exert exclusive aesthetic control over it. ‘These rights are given to all artists for their lifetime and pass to their heirs…
Ignorantia Lex Non Fit Defensia
Copyright in the visual arts is the inherent right of a creator over his/her artistic work to prevent other people copying that work. I received a novel and remarkable press release last month, issued by…