Artists need copyright law because it gives their creative work a basic layer of protection, dignity, and sustainability.
First, it recognizes authorship. Copyright law legally links a work to its creator. This matters because art is not just an object, it is an extension of thought, experience, and time. Without that recognition, anyone could claim or reuse the work as if it had no origin.
Second, it prevents unauthorized copying and exploitation. Copyright gives artists control over how their work is reproduced, sold, modified, or distributed. Without it, others could profit from an artist’s labor while the artist receives nothing in return.
Third, it allows artists to earn a living. Many artists rely on licensing, commissions, prints, publishing, or royalties. Copyright makes these systems possible by defining who has the right to monetize a work and under what terms.
Fourth, it protects creative integrity. Artists can object to distortions, misuse, or contexts that misrepresent their work or intent. This is especially important when art carries personal, cultural, or political meaning.
Fifth, it encourages continued creation. When artists know their work will not be freely taken or erased, they are more likely to keep creating and sharing. A system with no protection often favors those with money and platforms, not creators.
At a global level, frameworks like the Berne Convention ensure that artists’ rights are respected across borders, while tools such as Creative Commons allow artists to intentionally share their work on their own terms.
In short, copyright law is not about limiting creativity. It exists to make sure creativity can survive without being taken advantage of.
A movement forms when: – the work keeps evolving while imitators stay static – the idea expands beyond a single form – viewers begin to reference the thinking, not the image
As Marcel Duchamp showed, once the idea is stronger than the object, imitation loses its power.
