Copyright for Visual Artists

About this course

Every visual artist creates copyright-protected work and uses other people's work for reference, inspiration or collaboration. This course explains, in plain language and with reference to the Copyright Act (Canada) and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, what copyright covers, who owns it (including commissioned and employment situations), how long it lasts, what moral rights are, how voluntary registration works, and how fair dealing in Canada differs from fair use in the United States. It also covers using references, stock, fonts and AI tools responsibly. Educational information only.

Who it’s for: Illustrators, designers, photographers and fine artists at any stage. No legal background needed.

You will be able to

• Explain what copyright protects and when protection begins for a visual work
• Identify who likely owns copyright in common scenarios and what questions to ask
• Explain moral rights in Canada and how they differ from economic rights
• Describe how voluntary copyright registration works in Canada
• Distinguish Canadian fair dealing from U.S. fair use in general terms

Studio project

A rights inventory of ten of your own works, with ownership reasoning, third-party asset checks and questions for a qualified professional.

To complete this course

• Complete every required lesson.
• Have the assignment “Rights inventory of your own work” accepted by an instructor.
• Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

• Freelance Design Business Program