Copyrighting my Drawings

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:13 pm

Can anyone tell me how do I copyright my drawings, I cant help but to feel that someone out there or in this forum might take my drawings for thier artwork, I really need to have something to make shure to everyone that I made it. If no one can copyright my drawings then Ill be forced to delete all my drawings from the forum.

Akela · Post by **Akela** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:17 pm

This... but it's not cheap.

outwarddoodles · Post by **outwarddoodles** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:23 pm

Ummm...no. From what I know of you do not have to pay to get your artwork copyrighted. Shadow; the instant you put that pencil to the paper, its copyrighted to you. If you are afraid of poeple stealing, state wheere you post your pictures your rules of using those images and that it is copyrighted to you. You can sign it different ways too, I sign my drawings near the head of the thing, so if anyone crops it they're going to atleast keep the head and thus my signature. Or you can add a 'water mark' on it by using photoshop.

If you relly want information on artwork copyright laws, just search information up on Google.

Akela · Post by **Akela** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:31 pm

Heh heh, I don't really know anything about art and I have trouble making readable handwriting let alone a decent picture. I do 3D models if that counts as art.

Rwolf · Post by **Rwolf** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:57 pm

Here is a neat trick my teacher at collage told me (although it may not be applicable in this case). If your designing a logo for commercial use. Put that design (prefiribly the original) in a envelope and mail it to yourself, but DO NOT open it when you recieve it.

The envelope will be postdated and if it ever comes to court, and acused of art theft, theft design. You can use that unopened envelope as evidence you created that logo before that person/art theft your dealing with.

PariahPoet · Post by **PariahPoet** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:24 pm

You have the rights to everything you create from the moment you put pen to paper. If you don't want anyone to steal your stuff, you could put a watermark over it. Do you have reason to believe someone has done this?

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:30 pm

The fact that there are millions apon millions of people on the web and one can pass by here and just take it, or someone in here can act as a friend and secretly copy it and show it to their friends and say that he drew that. Even though its inetible, but atleast I have something to stand my grounds on.

outwarddoodles · Post by **outwarddoodles** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:35 pm

Shadow Wulf wrote:The fact that there are millions apon millions of people on the web and one can pass by here and just take it, or someone in here can act as a friend and secretly copy it and show it to their friends and say that he drew that. Even though its inetible, but atleast I have something to stand my grounds on.

Something that is perfectly reasonable. Something that I fear myself. Thus is why to take measures to keep the artwork safe. Luckily, Shadow doesn't need to fear me; I usually ask permission before I print something out to tape to my wall, unless say the artist has a page that says I can do so anyway, inwhich I keep the image the same and if the person had not signed it I will write their name on it myself.

Shadow Wulf; you need to get a DeviantArt account, so you can show off your images and have a place to write on your drawings to direct people to, so if your drawings manage to get somewhere else, someone interested in it can type up the url to your gallery.

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:44 pm

I was actualy thinking about getting a deviant art account, if I can get my drawings registered then it would already be proven that I drew it first.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:05 am

Shadow Wulf wrote:I was actualy thinking about getting a deviant art account, if I can get my drawings registered then it would already be proven that I drew it first.

You know, I've encountered an art thief. Turned out to be a kid who just wanted attention. He posts a pic saying he drew it and waits for people to go.....

"Oooo...nice pic!!" "Great drawing!!" ETC.

Why do that? Those people confuse me.

And Shadow Wulf. You should realize that there could be someone out there that draws exactly like you. What will you do if you stumle across his work? Will you say he stole your style? At least you know how to draw. Thats what counts. If you feel someone is taking your work, then don't post them.

Vilkacis · Post by **Vilkacis** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:56 am

You can always go with the watermark route. People will have a hard time claiming it's theirs when it has your name across it, and you'll have the clean original to do with as you wish.

Something like this:

Is that what you're looking for?

It does detract a little, but if you're really that worried about people stealing your work, it's a good option. I did the watermarking in the example above entirely in GIMP, so it's not like you have to buy anything to do this. (The drawing itself, by the way, is © Dee Dreslough).

-- Vilkacis

Prowler · Post by **Prowler** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:53 am

Arn't all posts on the forum property of the user? I'm sure it'll say that somewhere in the legal section of this site. (i'm sure it does on my friends)

Celestialwolf · Post by **Celestialwolf** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:54 pm

For me, I always just throw a little "(c) 2005 LazyWolf" at the bottom of my pictures with some kind of way to contact me, eg lazywolf.deviantart.com . I would watermark, but I figure that just detracts from the artwork.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:08 pm

Personally, I don't really care. I mean, I have the originals, and I do this mostly for myself, so I don't really care if someone decides to copy it. So all I do is sign and date it.

Set · Post by **Set** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:21 pm

Celestialwolf · Post by **Celestialwolf** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:32 pm

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:45 pm

Figarou wrote: And Shadow Wulf. You should realize that there could be someone out there that draws exactly like you. What will you do if you stumle across his work? Will you say he stole your style? At least you know how to draw. Thats what counts. If you feel someone is taking your work, then don't post them.

But I wanna post them for you guys to see them

And plus its a very, very rare thing for someone to draw the exact same thing you made up in the exact same poster and the exact same style. Thats 1 in a billion if that.

Figarou · Post by **Figarou** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:10 am

Shadow Wulf wrote:But I wanna post them for you guys to see them And plus its a very, very rare thing for someone to draw the exact same thing you made up in the exact same poster and the exact same style. Thats 1 in a billion if that.

I'm not talking about the exact same picture. Just the same style.

And if you want to show us your art, go right ahead. I'd like to see what you did.

Teh_DarkJokerWolf · Post by **Teh_DarkJokerWolf** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:14 am

Shadow Wulf

If you want a good and reliable copyright for your drawings, go straight through the government... This is the copyright program I use for my art and it's:

www.copyright.gov

I have had this copyright for many years and I have had to sue a few folks for attempting to use my work without my giving permisson to do so!! Peope are greedy and you work has to be protected b ecause of that, so check out the web site and if you have the funds, do it!! Because remember people are always looking for new ideas and will take it if they know they can!!!

Also if you have any stories or books you want to publish or create, have your work registered at:

The Writers Guild Of America

www.wga.org

I was told of this site by Abrownriggs and I had it done immedietly!!!

There are other copyright programs out there that I use as well because of extra protection and make surew that there is no way of mistakes so just look around, but I strongly suggest these two above because they really work for me

Shadow Wulf · Post by **Shadow Wulf** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:14 pm

ok thanks.

Teh_DarkJokerWolf · Post by **Teh_DarkJokerWolf** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:59 am

Well is there any word on the copyright process ShadowWulf?

white · Post by **white** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:13 am

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:18 am

Ralith Lupus wrote:People, be aware of this: as has been said, a copyright is applied the moment $TOOL touches $MEDIUM.

Yeah, it's kind of weird to think that the undeveloped film in my camera has copyright protection already.

white · Post by **white** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:21 am

Well, it would really depend on how you define protection. If someone stole your film, you'd have a hard time proving that it was yours originally, unless you take photos of some really weird things.

Lupin · Post by **Lupin** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:26 am

Ralith Lupus wrote:Well, it would really depend on how you define protection. If someone stole your film, you'd have a hard time proving that it was yours originally, unless you take photos of some really weird things.

Well that's physical security. Plus I tend to write on the canisters and the part of the film exposed when I load it, else I lose track of what roll goes with what notes.