Prison art copyright

[DRuss]

A non-profit org.has prisoner artwork donated for fund raising purposes. These will be reproduced in a variety of ways to maximize the benefit. Who has copyright? Should the NPO do anything to protect itself or the art?

 

[justalayman]

who is donating the artwork? Do they actually own the copyright?

If they do, ask them for an assignment of the copyrights because if they do not transfer those rights, you do not have any right to make copies unless the copyright owner giver permission for it.



if the copyright owner is not the party donating the artwork, then you would have to seek those rights or a license to use the artwork as you intend.

generally the artist holds the copyright unless it was a work for hire. I do not believe being a convict prevents one from owning the copyright.