How do I go about getting my images copyrighted?
Full Question:
Answer:
A copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects the authors of such things as books, magazine articles, plays, movies, songs, dances, and photographs. It is granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Paintings are "visual art" specifically protected by Visual Artists Rights Act. The author of a work of visual art has the right to prevent any modification of that work which would be prejudicial to the artist’s honor or reputation.
A "work of visual art" has been defined as including a painting, drawing, print, or sculpture, existing in a single copy, in a limited edition of 200 copies or fewer that are signed and consecutively numbered by the author, or, in the case of a sculpture, in multiple cast, carved, or fabricated sculptures of 200 or fewer that are consecutively numbered by the author and bear the signature or other identifying mark of the author.
A work of visual art does not include any work made for hire. However, by statute, only certain specific categories of specially ordered or commissioned works created by an independent contractor are deemed "works made for hire." The following works are categorized as "works for hire" if specially ordered or commissioned, provided that the parties also expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work will be considered a work made for hire: a contribution to a collective work; part of a motion picture or other audiovisual work; a translation; a supplementary work; a compilation; an instructional text; a test; answer material for a test; or an atlas.
In your contract, you need to state something to the effect that you shall be entitled to make application for, and obtain, the copyright in the paintings. You then need to make application with the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office for copyright protection.