how to protect our artwork

while i do not have a degree on this topic, i would like to take the time to post about how we can protect our creations... i tried to keep it simple and not get too technical but hopefully it will help you all out... and your input is definitely appreciated...

first off, adding a watermark to images of your creations, can
prevent people from stealing your images... you hear throughout the
blog community of ignorant and tacky people who steal photographs and
images... you'd think people would understand ethics... so a simple way
to deter stealers from snagging your beautiful and time-consuming
creations, add a watermark... and if you don't know how to do so, keep a lookout in november for my tutorial on how to make a watermark in photoshop :)

if you make an illustration or design for someone's personal use make sure to let the person know in writing, what they can and cannot do with that artwork... why is this so important? say, i made a design for natalie's blog...
it was made for the intent of her blog and anything pertaining to her
blog... she could use the design on her business card to advertise her blog... BUT she CANNOT
take the image [or portions] and upload it onto cafepress and stick it
on mugs, shirts, etc. and resell these products... why? because i made
the design for personal use and not for a major profit... it's
important to let your customers know this because you charged them
according to what they are planning to use your artwork for... i mean,
you'd charge "x" amount of dollars for a person's simple blog and "y"
amount of dollars for a design for mcdonald's right? mcdonald's plans
to use it in commercials, cups, advertisement, etc. so you SHOULD
charge them according to what they are going to use it for...

but what if someone wants artwork for their business? maybe they
want a banner for their online shop or an icon for their business... or
maybe they want artwork for a brochure they are doing... what are your
rights and their rights? again, you have the option of informing that
person what they can and cannot do [in writing] with your
artwork they are buying... you can say that they are allowed to use it
for the specific purpose of their business and anything relating to
their business, or for promotional use... in my opinion, i think its a
bit tacky if people are buying your art and putting it on paraphernalia
solely for  making a profit... i mean, if they put it on a mug and just
sold it, what is the mug for? is it to advertise their business? or is
it just for people to enjoy your art [without you making money]? a good example is this: i make an image for brenda's
cookbook... she takes a portion of that image and puts it on cute
little aprons... then she puts those aprons in a local shop and sells
them.... is that right?! no way!!!!!! now, if she puts the
image on the apron and uses them as give aways with her book- that
would be okay... or maybe she puts the image on a mug and it has the
info of her book on the mug too... that is okay as well...

now, say you sell an illustration or some works of art on etsy [for
example]... that illustration, assuming, is for personal use... this
means, the customer cannot resell it for profit... of course, people
resell items on ebay all the time... i don't think it's right for
people to resell handmade goods but i'm unsure of the legalities on
this topic... so for the record, i am specifically talking about a
person taking your illustration and reselling it [or portions of it] to
a store and giving you no credit whatsoever... after all, i don't buy samantha's sewing goodness and resell them to a local store here... and i won't buy diane's
art and resell prints my etsy shop... i don't have that right, even
though i bought her work! i can't take her images and make notecards
and try to make a profit... you'd think this was a very obvious no-no
but it's good to clarify for those who like to bend the rules...

while the creative commons copyright is wonderful for crafters and
artists, i think people tend to abuse this form of copyright... it's
okay to be inspired by other people's work... but it's also really wonderful to give them credit!!!! and it's also courteous not to use their designs and sell items....
for example, my cut paper kits are all for personal use... no one is
allowed to make them and then sell them on etsy or at craft fairs [or
anywhere else]... it was merely a tool for enjoyment... you could make
a card for a friend, but you cannot sell that card to a friend... it's
not like a box of betty crocker cake mix where you make it, bake it,
and sell it at a school bake sale...