Could someone be stealing my artwork?

Question

Recently our year had our final major art work exhibition, and I submitted a collection of ink illustrations.

My mother and younger brother went in during the opening hours at my school to have another look at the whole exhibition because it was less crowded in the morning, and they observed a woman come in with two cameras, proceed to photograph every single one of my illustrations twice with great care, and no other artworks.

My mum (I was in class unaware all this time) asked at the office for someone to check it out, (feeling that perhaps she was over reacting) and asked someone to come check it out, and a secretary went and asked the lady what she was doing, and came back with the report that the woman was taking photographs of my work because she was a godmother of a student at the school, and was taking photos for the student's grandmother who had missed the exhibition.

Now, I know my year well enough so that someone could just ask me if they needed a few copies of my works to show someone, and I've asked around and no-one has a godmother fitting the description. The lady never gave the name of the student, and now we have no clue what happened there!

Should I be concerned that my artworks may be used without my permission somewhere? Do I need to look into copyrighting?

Answer 1

most definately, even if your not sure you should put a copyright on your work.

Answer 2

The second you create your work, it is copyrighted to you. As long as you can prove it is yours, you can stir up trouble for anyone using it without your permission. Keep investigating, if anything the story is true, the least you can do is teach these people that it is rude to copy/photograph another's work without permission.

Answer 3

Most professional galleries don't allow photographs to be taken at exhibitions for that very reason.  It certainly IS possible that someone is stealing your designs.  And, as long as the school doesn't prohibit the picture taking, there is not much you can do to prevent it.

In any copyright infringement situation, it is almost always the artist's responsibility to enforce the protections.  In your case, you'll have to keep an eye out for unauthorized use of your images.  If you see them used, somewhere, you can as them to stop, and, if they don't, you can take them to court.  

As already mentioned, your work is ALREADY copyright protected by law.  Unfortunately, unless you REGISTER your copyrights, you can't recover any monetary damages if someone else makes money off of your work.  Also, without the registration of the copyright, it makes it more difficult to prove that you ARE the original copyright owner.  For example, if that woman decides to register the images on the photograhs as her own work, in court, SHE would have the actual documentation to "prove" that the designs are hers.  That's why artists should register their copyrights as soon as possible, and, certainly, BEFORE publication or exhibitions of any form.

By the way, the "poor man's copyright" of mailing your designs to yourself in sealed envelopes is meaningles and offers no protection.  It only proves when you mailed the pieces, not when they were created.

For more info:

http://copyright.gov

Answer 4

The above poster is correct in saying that since you created the piece and have proof of that it is already copyrighted (as far as I know). However, this won't necessarily stop the person from using them for whatever they want. My guess is that they just really liked the artwork and perhaps wanted to have images of it (possibly even get them printed). However if you do see them being used or sold online you should email them immediately threatening legal action. This will scare them at least and likely they will remove said pictures.

Here is a really handy website as well that helps you find pictures posted online. You upload a picture and it searches the web for similar photos. http://tineye.com