Art renderings

[noaccident]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California and New York

I hired an artist to create some artwork for my website. The artwork will be used to illustrate categories on our site.

On the artwork we asked the artist to place our logo in the artwork to deter people from stealing it. After reviewing a couple samples that the artist created I noticed that he placed his signature in the corner of each rendering which made me a little nervous.

What legal issues can arise from allowing the artist to sign this artwork. Would it be a mistake to allow this?

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California and New York

I hired an artist to create some artwork for my website. The artwork will be used to illustrate categories on our site.

On the artwork we asked the artist to place our logo in the artwork to deter people from stealing it. After reviewing a couple samples that the artist created I noticed that he placed his signature in the corner of each rendering which made me a little nervous.

What legal issues can arise from allowing the artist to sign this artwork. Would it be a mistake to allow this?

What legal issues can arise from allowing the artist to sign his renderings, or the final purchased illustration?

There are no legal issues with the artist signing the renderings. Artists typically sign their works.

That is, there are no legal issues unless you attempt to use one or more of the samples the artist has provided without having a written and signed agreement in place between you and the artist that clearly outlines what rights in the work(s) have been turned over to you by the artist.

If you use the samples without this written agreement in place, you would be infringing on the artist's copyrights in the work.

Once you accept one or more of his samples to use on your website, you will want an agreement drafted that indicates what rights in the work will be transferred to you (ie, a nonexclusive license to use the work within certain limits, a transfer of one or more or all of the exclusive rights to the copyright, whatever) in exchange for what compensation to the artist (flat fee?).

In any agreement you make with the artist, you can request that the final illustration has your logo but no signature.

I suggest you run all facts by an attorney in your area, however. You will want to ensure no disputes arise later over the copyrights in the artwork. All specific terms agreed upon between you and the artist should be clearly outlined. You can have any transfer of rights recorded with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Good luck.