Guidance on intellectual property for self-employed creators
New guidance from the Intellectual Property Office, with input from ALCS and partners, will help self-employed creatives better understand intellectual property, ownership and how their work can be used.
Today, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is launching new copyright guidance for self-employed people working across different sectors in the creative industries. The resources have been developed with input from creative sector organisations, including ALCS and partners such as DACS, Contemporary Visual Arts Network, Bectu, Artists Now, Association of Photographers, Freelancers Make Theatre Work and many others, as part of wider work to improve support and working conditions for freelancers and self-employed creators. Press the button below to access the guidance.
ALCS Chief Executive Barbara Hayes said: “Copyright gives authors control over how their work is used and allows them to license it and earn a living from it. Yet the language of intellectual property can feel a long way from the day-to-day work of writing. ALCS is pleased to have helped develop this guidance, which explains in plain language what rights authors have and how they can use them.”
The guidance has been developed through the Good Work Self-Employed Creators Working Group, which brings together organisations working to improve conditions, pay, skills and support for freelancers and self-employed people across the creative industries. ALCS is pleased to have contributed to the guidance alongside many partners, to help artists better understand their rights and make informed decisions about their work.
Pierre Oliviere, Deputy Director of Business, Innovation, and Investment at the Intellectual Property Office said: “When you work for yourself, making important decisions about your work and how it is used comes with the territory. We want to help creators feel confident making the choices that are right for them. Intellectual property can be complex, so this guidance is designed to make it easier to navigate. Developed with industry partners, it gives creators practical information to help them make informed decisions and get the most from their creative work”.
The new guidance will help freelancers and self-employed creatives with practical information to assist in making informed decisions about their work, their copyright and avoid costly misunderstandings.
About the Intellectual Property Office
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the UK government body responsible for intellectual property rights, including copyright, trade marks, designs and patents. Its work helps creators and businesses understand how to protect, manage and make the most of their intellectual property.
