Custom Printing and Copyright Issues

If you have taken the trouble and expense to hire an artist to create images for your custom print jobs, (CD covers, t-shirts, and bumper stickers, for example) you protect yourself from lawsuits over copyright infringement. You also keep your printer from stopping the job until the issue of image ownership is sorted out.

Even so, there is one important step to take to make sure your custom printing order goes smoothly and on time; make sure you have something in writing that proves you hired the artist and own the rights to the work. You can do this with a simple document that states that you have paid the artist to create the work for you and that you own the rights to reproduce the artwork at will. Just write up a document, be sure to include the amount of compensation for the work, the agreement between you and the artist over ownership, control and reproduction of the art.

Once both parties sign the paperwork, submit a copy to the printer to be kept on file. This insures there are no questions or delays over your order when it comes to copyright issues. It really is that easy!