Bolivar, MO asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Missouri

Q: I do digital painting for a hobby. I want to give full copyright to another individual. w/o paying lawyers.

The paintings contain nothing copyrighted or trademarked, I have not registered them. They are too numerous to afford to do so. The other person lives too far for both of us to meet to sign a document together. And I have no requirements of them. I simply wish to give the copyright away to them, in ful.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: To transfer copyright ownership to another individual, a written agreement or document is typically necessary. This agreement should clearly state the transfer of ownership, including the scope and duration of the transfer, and should be signed by both parties. While it is possible to create such an agreement without the assistance of a lawyer, it is recommended to seek legal advice to ensure the document is legally sound and enforceable.

In terms of distance, it is possible to execute the agreement through electronic means, such as email or video conferencing, as long as both parties agree and the signature process is valid according to applicable laws. However, it is important to consider the laws of both the jurisdiction where the copyright owner is located and where the transfer recipient is located, as they may have different requirements for valid signature and electronic agreements.

Finally, it is worth noting that even if the paintings do not contain any copyrighted or trademarked materials and are not registered, they may still be protected by copyright law. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the transfer agreement is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the copyright ownership.

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