I chose the topic of Legal Issues in Design. The classes where we watched the Remixer's Manifesto video were particularly interesting to me, as well as the concept of constraints on design due to legal issues. Legal issues are not always the most fun to talk about, and most creative people don't like to be restrained by rules. However, working within the law is necessary in order to have a successful design business and to get clients to hire you. I wanted to mainly research copyright law with regards to graphic designers, and legal contracts between clients and designers.
1. I found information on copyright law from AIGA. The information is located on their website: http://cpm.aiga.org/legal_issues/copyright-basics-for-graphic-designers
This is a good website that defines what exactly a copyright is ("exclusive right to control reproduction and commercial exploitation of your creative work"). It also gives some tips about how to use copyright law, including if you should own your copyrights or if the client should (this website recommends that you always own your copyrights-not the client). It also gets into the issues of infringement (when someone uses your work without your permission), and fair use, which we talked extensively about in class. Fair use limits infringement in non-commercial and educational settings as well as parodies. Another thing I found interesting was that you have copyright ownership as soon as you create a work, but that ownership does not mean much until you register your copyright with the government. Registration should be done as soon as possible even though it is costly.
2. This is information on fair use in copyright law that comes directly from the government: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html.
The web page states that "The distinction between fair use and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined." This is an obvious reason why so many lawsuits have occurred over fair use. It also states that one must get permission from the copyright owner rather than the copyright office in order to use a work. Qualities that make a reproduction fair use are included in the article as well. The most common is for education.
3. I found this website that is a database for all questions about copyright law and fair use: http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/
This page provides and extensive list of all questions relating to copyright and fair use and is a great resource for all designers. If you have a question, you can just click on one of the links and be provided with a great deal of information that answers your questions accurately and concisely. A blog is also included on the site as well as a link to top news that keeps the reader up to date on all things related to copyright law, infringement, and fair use.
4. This is a basic webpage that provides information on contracts for graphic designers: http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/contracts/a/contract.htm
I thought this page was helpful, since it gives step by step instructions on how to put together a contract between graphic designers and clients. It outlines the payment plans, copyright law, materials, and time frame plans. It doesn't give specific instructions on what is best to put for each specific item, but it's a great starting point for what to include.
5. This page sets out the basics for freelance designers interacting with clients: http://freelancedesign.lifetips.com/cat/61542/graphic-designers/index.html
I thought this page was good since it was easy to read, and provided guidelines for how to best work with your clients and make the most out of your work. Summarizes 34 tips on working with clients as well as tips for clients as they hire a designer. Also includes some helpful tips on contracts and law.
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