ASLU 131: Copyright and Creativity with Copyright Lawyer Lesley Ellen Harris

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This episode is brought to you by Fine Lime Illustrations

Can I use that in my work?

Have you ever asked yourself that question about somebody else's work? Or has somebody asked you that question about your work?

What happens when somebody uses your stuff without asking you? How do you get copyright? Is it different in Canada from the US?  What does it mean to sell your rights to somebody? What is licensing?  What happens to your copyright when you die?

In this episode, Canadian copyright lawyer Lesley Ellen Harris joins Melissa to answer all your burning copyright and IP (intellectual property) questions in this absolutely jam packed episode!

Did you know you can now directly support the podcast and help us keep creating great content you want to listen to and get access to bonus subscriber episodes? You can help here.

This Episode Is For…

This episode is for those who...

  • don't know what copyright is and why it's so incredibly important if you're selling anything you create

  • aren't really sure what they can legally use in their work and art

  • don't understand the difference between selling the rights to your work vs licensing them

  • are curious about estate planning around your body of work

  • don't know what to do when somebody uses their work without permission

  • are wondering if they can use Mickey Mouse, Baby Yoda, Alice in Wonderland or other characters in their work - even if it's just to sell at a craft fair

  • wonder how international copyright works

If you just want the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, scroll down to the bottom.

Listen To the Episode

Here’s a link to this week’s episode. You can also listen via the player below or on your favourite podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and more). Just search for And She Looked Up!

don’t give up your rights

In this episode we discuss:

  • the difference between copyright, IP and trademarking

  • how you get copyright when you make something

  • where that copyright is valid

  • how Canadian copyright can be different from US copyright

  • when you should actually file a copyright notice in Canada and/or the US

  • what licensing is and what selling your rights to your work is and why you should be very careful when you consider selling your rights to your work

  • what happens to your copyright when you die and how your work can continue to earn income for your estate and your heirs after you pass away

  • what it means when something is in the public domain and how you can use items in the public domain in your work (and how you can’t)

  • what happens if you get caught using something that belongs to somebody else

  • what happens when somebody uses your work without permission

  • how you can protect yourself and your work

  • when you should talk to a lawyer

  • AI and the potential copyright issues that may arise from it for creatives.

Mentioned In This Episode:

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Podcast Episode, ResourcesMelissa Hartfielcreative enterpreneurshp, S4, business mindset, copyright, legal mattersComment