How relevant is copyright to online artists? A qualitative study of understandings, coping strategies, and possible solutions

Authors

  • Liz Dowthwaite University of Nottingham
  • Robert J. Houghton University of Nottingham
  • Richard Mortier Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i5.6107

Keywords:

copyright, webcomics, attribution, online art,

Abstract

Online copyright law is a major issue for many in the creative industries. Independent artists often rely on sharing their work across social media and content-sharing sites, leaving them open to having their work stolen or misused. This paper discusses a series of 11 semi-structured interviews that examined attitudes towards copyright and attribution amongst webcomic artists, in relation to current copyright laws across the EU and internationally. Whilst artists are generally aware of the cover provided by copyright, they feel that it is not necessarily relevant or effective within the creative space they work in. There is very little support and there are few resources available to help them to fight for control of their work, and whilst artists do get angry about actual theft and removal of attribution, they accept that they have to put up with certain violations if they wish to continue to publish comics for free on the Internet. The paper ends by discussing potential solutions to the problems raised.

Author Biographies

Liz Dowthwaite, University of Nottingham

Ph.D. student in the Human Factors Research Group and Horizon Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Nottingham

Robert J. Houghton, University of Nottingham

Assistant Professor in the Human Factors Research Group at the University of Nottingham 

Richard Mortier, Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge

University Lecturer in the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge

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Published

2016-04-09

How to Cite

Dowthwaite, L., Houghton, R. J., & Mortier, R. (2016). How relevant is copyright to online artists? A qualitative study of understandings, coping strategies, and possible solutions. First Monday, 21(5). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v21i5.6107

Issue

Section

Articles