The Reality of Copyright - What use is it to you?

Copyright is a tricky subject. It is mostly misunderstood and many artists, writers and musicians are duped or misinformed about what copyright is.

I should point out I'm not a lawyer and that you should get proper legal counsel if you are having copyright problems or need to protect yourself and your work.

But the nature of copyright is changing. When reproduction was difficult and expensive, copyright was easy to police. Now it is easy to and cheap to copy and almost impossible to police. Law is no use if it cannot be applied. What will creators do in the future?

I use a Rotring Tikky Graphic 0.3 pen and copic ciao marker pens. The paper is fairly cheap drawing cartridge or bristol paper.

Look me up on Amazon or in your local bookstore. I've illustrated over 200 books in my time! Enjoy!

[fruitsushi]

You sir, are awesome! And I feel like you can be a narrator for ebooks or something.

[Bongobin]

Hello, you probably don't remember me or my previous comment, but I took your advice and took a few days away from my drawing desk. Today, I had an idea of a new character for one of my stories I am working on, and the moment i sat on my chair, the ideas came flooding to my head, and I had no problem with thinking about what I drew/painted. Your advice truly helped and if I ever have any troubles to do with art, I will definately ask yoyr opinion :)

[Annabells]

I'm an intellectual property attorney & enjoyed this video.

For artists who need but can't afford copyright counsel- try searching the web for non-profits. Some organizations & US attorneys take copyright cases pro bono (for free/ charity) to help artists.

[dontworryaboutit]

Hi Shoo, Thanks for the videos! I've been working on a children's book for a couple of years.I submitted it about 8 months ago and got rejected.One editor gave me lots of helpful comments so I reworked the story and illustrations and I am almost done.I am not sure if I should make it into an ebook, try to get a literary agent or just submit/resubmit directly to the publishers. If you have time I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[GoldenPlaypen]

very good practical advice Thanks Shoo! I make art because I have to! :)

[JonathanStephenHarris]

Well to me copyright is a huge deal.. You ahve to experience a lawsuit to understand exactly how it works.. 12 years ago, a dutch clothing company stole designs from my website and plastered them all over their clothes.. I found out when I attended a tattoo convention.. After confronting them we agreed to settle out of court.. About 5 years ago a game company used some of my designs in their game.. This time I took them to court and won!!! The date you upload designs on the net are recorded!!

[Topdoginuk]

Shoo, you've presented a very clear interpretation and explanation of this subject that is easy for people to understand and, be able to keep in perspective. Very impressive indeed. Well done.

[SkrzatKwiatowy]

I like your realistic and calm way of thinking about copyrights. It's a serious subject, but some people just get really obsessed about it.

[sorathunderknight]

You don't want to mess with Disney:(

[tracysu]

>w< u always smile and u make me feel so happy Cx I luv listening to u talk...

[zoradoodledo]

Hi Shoo, thanks for that thoughts about copyright;-) On easter I had a talk with my sister about this theme and she said, if I am feared about someone will steal my ideas then I have to close them in my drawer, but then nobody will see them and notice me, so I have to change my mind and to feel confident that I have many of ideas and that they will never come to an end and that there ever will come new ideas and probably better so, I'm working on it... I'ts a process, changing my mind

[squidskunk]

i have a question..if i create a wood carving in a friends shop who holds the copyright..? his wood, his tools, his shop, my design..

[elenaguzinska]

I've always said, what's the point of creating if you can't share it. I had my designs stolen after sending them as samples. I didn't do anything about it, it just made me sad, it was like being mugged. I've literally only just started putting a watermark over some designs because I've been offered a license deal. Other artworks I leave clear because if someone enjoys them, then my job is done. Thank you for this wonderful video :)

[stefidrummer]

I was the guy in Budapest! You tached Y6 about Axel Storm.

[Patricia-wrfz]

Thanks Mr Shoo, I needed this since all I do is blab my ideas out DX

[squidskunk]

no no...its not like that..
i was just thinking as i viewed your video...i have carved for free many items from sculpture to wood signs in his shop...just a question that's all...good vid...got me thinking.

thanks. :-)

[Patricia-wrfz]

We do that all the time in our art site -_-; and when you say something to much; in that spectrum of public, I mean;your ideas can be seen and someone else can act upon then.

A friend of mine acted upon an idea two people chatted each other with by making a comic of it XP

Again, thanks Mr. Shoo. Ideas can be talked out yet we better be careful since some can acted upon by others if you aren't careful ^^;

[Lightbeam]

The sky the plants the Ladybirds anything, and my comments weren't meant to offend but if the cap fits?

[rachmoorovia]

can u tell me how i can upload the pics that i have been drawing with the help of u?

[katenpp]

Hey, but then why do you refuse to draw some characters because of "copyright"? Like Spiderman, for example. His creators won`t care at all, and you are not selling these drawings too.