Do you hold Copyright on Commissioned Artwork?

Question: Do you hold Copyright on Commissioned Artwork!?

If you create a work of art for someone and it's sold to them, do you retain the copyright on that work of art or is it transferred to them when they purchase due to the fact that it was created exclusively for them!?
The reason I ask is although I don't mind doing commissioned art to be displayed in peoples' homes, I want to protect my interests against having the artwork copied, reprinted, redistributed, resold, etc!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The United States Intellectual Property Law (copyright law) maintains that the artist holds all reproduction rights to an artwork unless those rights are transferred specifically in writing!.

In other words, upon selling an artwork, you (the artist) continue to hold the reproduction rights to the very artwork that is now owned by someone else, according to this law!.

This does cause problems in many situations, especially if the work was commissioned to be used by the new owner in some commercial way (say, selling prints or using in an ad campaign for their business) without your knowledge!. It is always best to use a simple contract before starting a commission, and in that contract state that you retain all reproduction rights!. At the very least, include a line about reproduction rights on a "Certificate of Authenticity" delivered with the finished artwork!. Many people like to have such a certificate for their insurance records anyway!.

Although you are protected by law against your artwork being copied, reprinted, or reproduced without your consent, you cannot stop anyone from reselling your work!. However, if you remain on good terms with your customers, you can always request that they let you know if and when they resell your work!.!.!. just for your records!.

Best of luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you work on commission and want to retain all ?copyright you better protect your ?copyright into a written contract signed by both parties!.
you must write something like "The artist retains all copyrights"

Or charge accordingly for the lost of your copyright!.

Working on commission is much like being an employee!.Www@QuestionHome@Com