Getting a tattoo can be very exciting. Part of the excitement of getting a tattoo is thinking about the things you have to consider like the design of the tattoo you will be getting, where it will be placed, and which tattoo shop to go to. Out of all the things to think of, copyrighting your tattoo is certainly not one of them.
Who Has the Right to the Copyright
The primary concern of copyright when it comes to tattoos is determining who gets credit for the tattoo. The tattoo may be on your body, but the artist whose design is used as the tattoo, an artist whose work inspired a tattoo, or a tattoo artist using their own art as a tattoo all have claim over the product. There are many people who have a claim but who is awarded the copyright?
Seek the Help of Copyright Lawyers
Determining who has the copyright can be a very difficult thing to do. It is not something that can be settled between people who have no experience in copyright issues whatsoever. Hiring professional copyright lawyers are the best thing to do when dealing with copyright registration, licensing, and litigation amicably.
Hiring a copyright lawyer has distinct benefits. Working with copyright lawyers means that you can protect your ideas and creations more efficiently. It also means receiving expert advice to help make sure that you are covering all bases. It may seem expensive, but paying for this cost now means not having to pay for a more expensive fee in the future if you ever get involved in an infringement squabble. Having a lawyer to work with is the best option but for you to be able to be fully involved in the process, it is best to read up as well.
What It Means to Have the Copyright
Being granted the rights to a tattoo gives a person all the legal rights. This means that they make copies of the tattoo, distribute the copies, and display the tattoo. The rights also include being able to perform making the tattoo in public, if circumstances arise. The owner can also make other products that are inspired by the work. Another important thing to remember is that copyright is transferable. For example, it is implied that a tattoo artist gives their clients the right to display the tattoo. However, this does not mean that the client can reproduce or make other products inspired by the tattoo.
The Claim of the Client and the Artist
We mentioned that the tattoo artist is often the one who receives the copyright for the tattoos. However, there are certain circumstances where the client has a claim over the tattoo. For example, if the tattoo is originally designed by the client. Technically, both the artist and the client have legal claim over the tattoo. If one party wants exclusive claim over the tattoo, though, hiring a copyright lawyer is their greatest option.
Tattoo artists, in turn, must also be vigilant. Agreeing to tattoo a design that a client brought in without verifying where it came from can make them legally liable. Copying the artwork of another artist without their explicit content means they are infringing on the protection of the design.
At the end of the day, the safest steps to take to avoid legal squabbles is to contact a licensed copyright lawyer. Just as getting a tattoo is a huge decision that needs much thought, so is protecting yourself legally as much as you can.