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Artist Educators and Student Copyright Problems
Many artists also teach art skills classes, either privately or through their local art leagues or both. Recently, a nationally known, terrific artist-artist educator contacted me about a problem which had arisen with one of her best art students.
Out of respect for copyrights owned by other artists, she has always used her own work as the model for her students, assuming they would take the techniques that she showed them and apply them to their own ideas or photographs. Unfortunately, an unscrupulous student recently took his copy of her work and put it for sale on his Facebook page, Pinterest page, and website page, claiming it as his own work. He also made giclees of this work and attempted to sell them at local galleries and art-related events.
While he did paint it “himself”, the copy was unquestionably a derivative of her painting. In other words, it was a violation of her copyright. She was devastated by this student’s breach of her trust.
What is the solution for this artist-educator? She will provide future students with an information sheet when they sign up for her art classes. This sheet will not only alert them that her work carries a copyright but will also give them basic copyright information for their own use. This will be a graceful way to put future students on notice that their reproduction of her work is off-limits. It will also help fledgling artists acquire knowledge about how to protect their own work.
Artists helping artists!
P.S. She is posting a stern warning on her own website about copyright violations.
Nothing contained on this page should be construed as providing legal advice or creating an attorney-client relationship. All information herein is intended as educational only. For advice specific to your situation, please contact an attorney of your choice.