Everyone has heard of copyright, but do we truly understand its significance and utility? We know that it exists, that it applies to the realm of creation, and that it serves a protective role, but beyond this basic knowledge, it remains a somewhat abstract concept.
At Alexem Studio, we examined the following question: What role does copyright play in the field of graphic design? While this might seem like a trivial question, the insights we gained led us to make a decision that’s quite unconventional in the design industry. If we tell you that by working with us, you become the exclusive owner of your creations and their copyrights, does that resonate with you? We explain why it should in this article.
What is copyright?
Copyright is a law that protects the original creations of artists, writers, musicians, and other creators. In Quebec, as in the rest of Canada, this law ensures that only those who have created a work can control its use and benefit from it.
Why is this important?
It is necessary to enforce our copyright to protect the integrity of our works, to oppose uses or modifications we consider harmful, and to control how our work is used, reproduced, distributed, or modified.
Use
Use refers to any manner in which the work is employed. This can include actions such as presenting the work in an exhibition, incorporating it into a project, or disseminating it through digital media.
Reproduction
Reproduction involves creating a copy of the work, whether in paper, digital, or any other format. This includes both exact and partial duplications of the work.
Distribution
Distribution refers to making the work available to the public, whether through sale, rental, loan, or any other means of distribution.
Modification
Modification involves changing, adapting, or altering the original work. This can include adaptations, translations, remixes, or derivatives that modify the original work.
In addition to protecting the use of your image, copyright fosters creativity by ensuring that a work cannot be imitated—in other words, stolen from its creator. Without copyright, anyone could use your logo, company name, or even your professional photos in any way they choose… The risk? You don’t want your image to be associated with companies whose values contradict your own, or to lose your visibility because you’re no longer unique. Copyright allows us to continue creating new and enriching works for our society.
Is copyright for life?
As a general rule, copyright in Quebec lasts for the lifetime of the creator plus 50 years after their death. After this period, the work enters the public domain and can be used by anyone without restriction. It is important to verify whether a work is actually in the public domain before using it. To do this, you can:
- Check author’s date of death
- Consult archives and libraries that can provide information on the status of works.
- Consult online copyright databases.
Of course, there are exceptions and limitations to these rules. For example, it is sometimes permissible to use excerpts from works for purposes such as criticism, parody, or education without needing permission, provided that this is done fairly and reasonably.
Royalty-free work
Copyrights still in force
How does Alexem Studio handle this?
Graphic design encompasses visual elements such as logos and visual identities, posters and advertisements, web and application design, illustration, and typography, all of which are governed by the same Copyright Act. Upon creation of any of these elements, copyright typically belongs to the company you hired for your branding design. However, at Alexem Studio, we believe it is more logical—and even natural—to transfer copyright to our clients. But why do we do this?
We firmly believe that our clients should fully own the creations they have invested in. Although this may be an unusual practice, we believe that when a client pays for our services and creations, it is only natural for them to become the exclusive owner once the project is completed. This approach allows our clients to have complete control over the use, reproduction, and modification of their materials, without any restrictions.
For a company, it’s reassuring to know it fully owns its visual identity, can assert its authenticity, and ensure that it will never be reproduced, copied, or altered. That’s why we provide a ‘Brand Guide’ with all our visual identity creations. This guide includes important information on the proper use of the logo, colors, typography, patterns, image treatment, and more. As a company evolves, changes, and adapts over time, having the freedom to evolve its brand image accordingly is a significant added value for us.
By doing business with us, you’ll leave with a strong visual identity that reflects your company’s image and values, as well as peace of mind in terms of how it will be used, since you’ll be the master of it – if that’s not service!
