Negotiations, Contracts, Agreements & Support

Copyright & Licensing

This page aims to inform artists about their rights, mainly regarding their intellectual property, and other items of interest in protecting their work.


Artist Copyright Presentation with Erin McClarty, PLLC at Artist INC

Copyright vs. Patent vs. Trademark

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others. (Source)


Useful links/articles:

A Guide to the Visual Artists Rights Act by Cynthia Esworthy

Performing Rights Laws for Dancers by Ne-Kajira Jannan

Publication Rights for Freelance Writers by Freelance Writing

Common [Music] Licensing Terms Defined by ASCAP


Copyright forms and resources:

Filing U.S. Copyrights FAQs by Copyright.gov

Copyright Forms for Literary, Performing, Visual, Sound Works and more from Copyright.gov


News regarding Artist Rights:

“The Music Modernization Act has been signed into law” by Dani Deahl at The Verge, Oct. 2018

“Texas court says photographer has no recourse against university copyright infringement” by L.M. Sixel with the Houston Chronicle, June 2019