 Re: Is Registered the same as Copywrited
"Registered" generally means trademarked, so basically it's the same as copyrighted. You will need a release from the registered owner, and they may or may not allow you to reproduce the art. Understand that anytime a unique design is created by anyone, it has an automatic implied copyright. Just because there's no copyright symbol on the art does not mean it can be copied.
If not sure, run a check with the copyright office, but all too many times a customer will bring you a t/shirt design that was printed by another screen-printer, and wants you to reproduce it.
If it looks unique, then I would have the customer sign an agreement that they (the customer) will indemnify you against any copyright legal liability, unless the customer can prove they own the art design.
In most cases, artwork prepared by a staff artist is owned by the company paying his/her salary (work for hire), whereas, if the artist is freelance (working for themselves) then the artist owns the copyright unless they release their copyright to whomever they choose (generally the company paying the artist fee). |