Does anyone know much about Copyright or design patents?

Originally Posted by K

As for the folks who asked for their own design, they will be putting a copyright thingy (in my name) on anything that features my work so I'm Ok with that.

Make sure you charge them a licence fee for using your design (this varies depending on usage ie advertising campaign or greetings card, worlwide or just UK etc) - its usually done for a period of about 3 years and then renewed, also draw up a contract - you can find more info from the Association of Illustrators website, (google it it should come up) they have a guide to charges. Good luck .

Originally Posted by Warren

the best way in my opinion to get something legally binding, and that would hold up in court, would be to take a photo (on polariod or using film, as digital is easily altered and doesnt hold well in court) of your work, put it in a sealed envelope, and get it date stamped by the post office and sent to yourself.

keep the envelope and do not open it, therefore, if there is any reason to prove that your design is the origional, the envelope can be opened in court.

this is what ive been taught to do my many graphic designers (even big companys do this, rather than paying copywright fee's) as it is so much cheaper, easier, and just as effective.

I've heard of this too, the thing is, what's stopping you sending an unsealed envolope through the post? Then you could copy someones idea and put it in your pre-dated envolope. Of course this relies on a bit of advance planning. Do the post office check is sealed before 'date stamping'?

Originally Posted by svpilot

I've heard of this too, the thing is, what's stopping you sending an unsealed envolope through the post? Then you could copy someones idea and put it in your pre-dated envolope. Of course this relies on a bit of advance planning. Do the post office check is sealed before 'date stamping'?

im not sure, ive never tried to send an unsealed envelope.

while at college, we were told the story of a guy who used to walk into a bank, and hold up his designs in front of their CCTV,

then later demand the tape under the data protection act, and use this tape as proof.

not sure how true it is though.

Originally Posted by Warren

while at college, we were told the story of a guy who used to walk into a bank, and hold up his designs in front of their CCTV,

then later demand the tape under the data protection act, and use this tape as proof.

not sure how true it is though.

I tend to list my prints (that I make from my paintings) on ebay as soon as a painting is done, so I guess this would give reliable proof of date also?

Uploading to your own website would give you pretty good proof of date uploaded also wouldnt it?

IMO if you try and do some or all of these steps (individual choice really) then you have protected yourself as much as poss without paying an copyright registering agency - which I spose would the most foolproof way but costs money