Inspiration or Imitation? Copyright and Moral Rights in Artistic Works

Artsfest / Artsfest 2021 / Inspiration or Imitation? Copyright and Moral Rights in Artistic Works

Have you ever thought of the line “standing on the shoulder of giants?” Where is the line between inspiration and imitation? How specific will an idea or a concept have to be, to attract copyright protection? What are different categories of artistic works, protected under the law and does their categorisation matter? Will an artist have protection against derogatory treatment of their work, even in cases where they have “sold it”?

Copyright law governs our rights, freedoms and limitations in using other people’s work. It also offers a bundle of rights to the author and owner of the artwork created. In this interactive two-hour workshop, the speaker explores the basic categories of artistic works (2D and 3D) as protected under copyright law in the UK, and the attached rights for owners (copyright) and authors (moral rights). Audience will get the opportunity to ask specific questions, related to all matters of intellectual property law.

Dr Metka Potočnik is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Wolverhampton (UK). Her research interests focus on the critical investigation of intellectual property law through a feminist lens; and she has published in the area of intellectual property law, arbitration and foreign direct investment. Her most systemic publication is a research monograph Arbitrating Brands (EE 2019), in which she examines the emerging cross-section between international intellectual property law, foreign direct investment and international arbitration. Dr Potočnik is the Acting Editor in Chief at the Wolverhampton Law Journal and also sits on the Board of Directors of the F-List for Music CIC, which focuses on gender equality in the music industry. Dr Potočnik remains an examiner at University of London, and has previously taught at King’s College London, Queen Mary University London, University College London and University of Surrey.

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