How to protect your artworks in Instagram

How to protect your artworks in Instagram

From time to time, a social network or platform that brings becomes very popular and and “forces” artists to join in order to have the visibility that may feed them. Today it’s Instagram and Twitter -because I think Tumblr already...-, but tomorrow who knows?.

Whether in a professional or hobby way, the case is that there are a lot of works published every day, and, as we all know, what is on the internet, is free, right?

The truth is that it is not so, but practice can lead you to think that is the price to pay for making yourself known and that you can’t do anything about it.

So that you do not fall into that false myth and desolation, I bring you, artist, 5 keys to protect your works in Instagram:

1.  Sign it

There are professional environments, such as publishing or advertising, where it is directly prohibited, and commission works that force you to leave it out.

But in social networks, it is best to leave a mark that indicates your authorship, because:

  • It will be easier for others to find more of your works (and order things)
  • And in case of violation you have a proof that will give you strength.

I’d rather to sign with the name (in a stylish but readable way, of course).

You can also put a logo or a recurring detail.

Peter Arno or Andre Carrilho are two good examples to imitate.

2.  Avoid uploading the file as is and in high quality

This is especially useful to avoid being traced by other artists and serial impressions in merchandising by avid merchants. Surely you know platforms such as Printful, Printify o Redbubble, where you can sell your built-in art to any type of support. Well, there are pirate entrepreneurs who do the same, but without your permission. A portfolio with clean files is a mine for them...

To stop him, you can:

  1. Print it and take a photo with a certain perspective (as Lawerta does) or putting some gaussian effect or blur.
  2. You can also appear holding it yourself (which further reinforces the identification of the author)
  3. Or make a video of the printed version or the creation process (as Keron Grant does)

3. Upload to platforms that already have Technology Protection Measures:

Instagram already prevents you from right-clicking copy image. It is true that you can make a screenshot and edit, but the low quality already discourages a few infringers.

4. Register them with the Intellectual Property Registry.

It is usually very cheap and fast (they practically do it at the moment or take just a couple of days) and is especially effective in claims on social networks, because you already have a certificate.

Of course, I recommend it for a selection of works (not all, and certainly not those that are not finished).

5. Rely on collective management organisations

In the case of musicians and composers, it is also very good to register with the SGAE or any other collective management organisation.

In Spain, in addition to the spin-off of the SGAE (DAMA), we have:

  • CEDRO (for authors and publishers of printed works)
  • VEGAP (for graphic designers, visual creators, photographers, etc.)
  • AIE (for musical performers)
  • AGEDI (for phonogram producers)
  • AISGE (for actors and dubbers)
  • EGEDA (for audiovisual producers)

Besides giving you a document to prove authorship, you can get a little money when you least expect it. Pablo Vera knows it well... (and he told us more about it in this Live).

But, beware! Any of these records does not change reality. If you have copied it, but you have registered as the original author, should the authentic emerge and prove it, everything will fall apart (and you’ll have to deal also with legal actions).

In addition to these, there is, of course, Instagram’s own copyright infringement complaint procedure.

It’s good to have it – and you’d better familiarize yourself with it-, but it’s better still that you are not forced to press the red button thanks to these suggested measures.