Hi. Is there a cartoonist out there? I certainly hope so, 'cause I really ne

Position:Home>Visual Arts> Hi. Is there a cartoonist out there? I certainly hope so, 'cause I really ne

Question:

Hey there, I am a cartoonist and I'm trying to start out as a freelance cartoonist!. I have the talent, but that's pretty much all I have, and one of the things I do not have is a license agreement and the knowledge to make one!. I would really appreciate it if some kind soul out there would give me a reference to an appropriate site where I could download one or a sample of sorts!. Do hope to hear from someone!. ThanksWww@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Licensing is pretty easy!.

But you have to consider carefully the type of license or more specificaly copyright you are selling!.

So you will actually need several agreements!.

Many magazines and newspapers buy first publication rights!. These can be state, federal or international rights!.

That is they have the right to publish it first and then you can resell it!. also the right might be only for a particular area, eg California, USA or north america!.

Other magazines by exclusive copyright!.

When you sell a cartoon to a publisher you need to consider carefully what copyrights you sell and the price that you want for that!.

There are also another right called moral rights!. This means that the material can't be modified without you permission, or used in a way without your permission (eg, if you cartoon was published in a KKK magazine)!. also they can't remove your name from the cartoon!.

Licensing and copyright agreements are particularly straight forward!. If it is a publisher they will have their own agreement so you wouldn't use yours!.

also think intelligently about what you do sell, because some artists make their agreements stupidly restrictive on the purchasers!.

Example

By the way, if you agreement is more than one paragraph long you are just being stupid!.

Another problem is providing the license after the product has been purchased, this is illegal, immoral and pointless!. Just like software EULA, if they are not on the packaging before you buy the software they can't be legally enforced!.

So you have to make it a contract!.

Party A agrees to sell the first copyright licence for the below titled works to party B for the price of $xxx

How simple can you get!.
Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'll give you two resources so that you can research your specific needs and market!.

One is the book titled "Artists Market!." It offers the names and addresses of studios, agencies and syndicates that have been known to accept some unsolicited submissions!. It is published every year, so should have some pretty up to date information!. The book also offers a lot of other informtion on how an artist can market himself!.

Another resource is the Graphic Artists Guild!. ( a quick Google search should yeild you the URL) Here, you can find lots of legal help and information, including pricing guidelines and contract forms!.

Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com