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General Forge Forums => Publishing => Topic started by: Willow on November 06, 2007, 04:23:50 PM

Title: Contracts for Art
Post by: Willow on November 06, 2007, 04:23:50 PM
It's been recommended to me that I get some contracts for myself and my artists.

How do I do this?  Are there templates out there?  I know what rights I want, but I don't know how to do a fancy contract.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: pells on November 06, 2007, 06:44:39 PM
Hi Willow !!!

If you request the work of an artist, you should use a contract. Anyway, I guess this is how it is done seriously ...
I needed one two years ago when I first contracted illustrators. Well, building this contract has been a real mess for me, but I do have a template.
If you want me to provide it to you, just PM me (unless you want it here ...) and I'll tell you which parts are very important (rights of use).
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: Ron Edwards on November 07, 2007, 12:36:38 AM
Hi Willow,

This is a controversial topic although many people like to promote their viewpoint as if "everyone knows that."

Here's a useful thread for teasing out some of the trickier points:
"Top 10 Lies told to Designers" (for the freelancers out there) (http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/index.php?topic=21720.0)

Best, Ron
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: Willow on November 07, 2007, 02:29:01 PM
Thanks for the link Ron!

So, what I've learned...

1) The setup I have in mind is fairly simple.

2) But I'll still want some sort of formal agreement, establishing who has what rights.

3) I have no idea how to do this, and need help.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: iago on November 07, 2007, 04:02:16 PM
I use a very simple contract in largely plain language that makes it clear I'm buying the right to publish the art, not the art itself, leaving ownership of the art in the artist's hands.  That's the core of what the contract says; everything else is just trappings about how and when the money will get paid out and what would constitute a termination or breach of the contract.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: Willow on November 07, 2007, 04:33:08 PM
Hey Fred, that's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for.  Would you be willing to send me a copy of your standard contracts?
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: iago on November 07, 2007, 07:00:52 PM
Quote from: Willow on November 07, 2007, 04:33:08 PM
Hey Fred, that's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for.  Would you be willing to send me a copy of your standard contracts?
Drop me a line at evilhat AT gmail DOT com and I'll see if I can figure out a way to give you something generic.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: Doc_Peck on December 13, 2007, 03:18:11 AM
Would you mind if I contacted you as well?  I have pretty vanilla needs (I am buying x pieces of art for $y each and I own the art when done), and I think a generic contract should cover me.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: iago on December 13, 2007, 04:50:38 AM
Quote from: Doc_Peck on December 13, 2007, 03:18:11 AM
Would you mind if I contacted you as well?  I have pretty vanilla needs (I am buying x pieces of art for $y each and I own the art when done), and I think a generic contract should cover me.

Mine's not your kind of generic, then.  It stipulates the artist owning their work.
Title: Re: Contracts for Art
Post by: rafael on December 13, 2007, 07:04:01 PM
Hi, Willow,

This is what I usually send to the artists that I work with.

http://www.dread-rpg.com/contract.pdf

-- Rafael