Copyright Scenarios
Understanding the basics of copyright law is crucial for creative practitioners. It helps you make informed decisions about selling, licensing, commercializing, and developing your artistic intellectual property.
“Jonathan is thrilled when the publisher for author Siale asks him to illustrate her latest children's book, for a flat fee. The book is a huge success and gets featured on the evening news, showing some of the artwork. Siale posts a page or two from the book on her website, online sales platform and social media to promote the sale of the book. Jonathon isn’t sure what his rights are, when he discovers his artwork being used beyond the book, such as in prints, giveaway tote bags and marketing catalogues.”
Situations like this happen every day, and at Copyright Licensing NZ, we see it from all sides. There’s nothing worse than seeing your work being used in ways you didn’t agree to, or have a say in. And it’s important for users of others’ works to understand how to do that legally. Copyright law aims to balance the creator’s choice about how their work is accessed and used against society’s interest in allowing people to access works of intellectual and creative endeavour.
Understanding the basics of copyright law is crucial for creative practitioners. It helps you make informed decisions about selling, licensing, commercializing, and developing your artistic intellectual property. Building a sustainable career as an artist is an art in itself and like Jonathan and Siale, many creators face potential copyright issues, due to a lack of knowledge and resource. Copyright Licensing NZ is here to support artists in all disciplines as you manage your rights and work toward that goal.
From educational workshops and downloadable resources to a Catalogue system and Legal Service for contract development and review, Copyright Licensing is the trusted expert in the maker space, helping both rightsholders and users of copyright material get full value from their rights.
For more information: https://www.copyright.co.nz/
For more resources: https://www.copyright.co.nz/understanding-copyright/resources
Copyright Licensing New Zealand supports authors, publishers and artists as rightsholders by managing copyright permissions and licensing. We advocate for legislation benefiting New Zealand’s creative communities across all disciplines, provide learning resources on copyright, and issue licenses for legal use of materials, redistributing revenues to rightsholders as royalties and funding opportunities.
MyCreativeRights.com offers a specialised Legal Service for contract review and creation, as well as informed advice on copyright issues. It also provides a Catalogue service for creators to document their work.
It’s our goal to make creative rights work for all New Zealanders.
Copyright Licensing New Zealand is New Zealand’s only recognized Reproduction Rights Organisation (RRO) for text-based copyright material. We are a proud member of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO).
To learn more about cataloguing your work and accessing legal services:
