Protect & Create
A blog series for artists who want to own their work and thrive on their terms.
What started as creative encouragement has become a loophole for art theft. In this article, we unpack how the phrase “Steal like an artist” was misused by opportunists, opening the floodgates for copyright violations—and what today’s artists can do to protect their work.
Your art is automatically copyrighted the moment it’s created—but that doesn’t mean it’s protected. Without registration, your rights are vulnerable to theft, fraud, and even takedowns filed by bad actors. This article explores what happens when artists don’t register, including real-world cases, TikTok scandals, and why timing matters more than talent when it comes to legal ownership.
Fair use under Title 17 U.S.C. § 107 is one of the most misunderstood areas of copyright law. From assuming non-commercial use is always allowed to thinking attribution overrides infringement, myths like these mislead creators into risky territory. This article clears the air by breaking down five of the most common misuses of fair use—and why understanding them matters now more than ever.
A Library from the Ashes tells the story of how the Library of Congress rose from literal fire to become the largest archive of human creativity on Earth. From Jefferson’s personal books to TikTok scripts, this vault of imagination now safeguards over 167 million items—and protects the rights of every U.S. creator through the Copyright Office it holds within.
There’s a legal language every artist should know—one that protects your ideas before someone claims them as their own. This article breaks down three critical terms: infringement, derivative, and public domain. Whether you’re new to copyright or deepening your knowledge, understanding these shields can save you time, heartache, and lost rights. Learn to protect your art like a pro.