Lecture: Copyright Overview and Principles

This week’s lecture helped me understand the importance of copyright and legal awareness in graphic design. Alec Dudson hosted a discussion with legal experts Kevin Poulter and Jonny Mayner, covering real-world examples and practical advice for protecting our work.

How do we become aware of naming and copyright issues?

• Check before you create. Use the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) database to search for existing trademarks (names, logos, etc.) before starting a branding project.
• Be cautious when taking inspiration. If your design is heavily inspired by someone else’s work, it could cross legal lines.
• Create independently and document your process (save sketches, drafts, emails) to prove your work is original.
• Emails and metadata (like file creation dates) can be useful legal evidence if someone accuses you of copying.

What are the basic pitfalls of illegal practice?

• Posting online too early (e.g. unfinished client work) can break contracts or spark legal trouble.
• No clear contract = confusion. Contracts should explain who owns the copyright, how the work will be used, and who’s responsible if there’s a legal issue.
• Social media call-outs can damage reputations – sometimes public opinion can hurt a project even if no law is broken.
• Global reach = global risk. Work posted online can be seen worldwide, increasing chances of someone claiming you copied them.

What are the common copyright and ethical/legal issues for graphic designers?

• Model release & working with children: Always get written permission when using images of people, especially minors.
• Ownership of work: If you're a freelancer, your contract decides who owns your work. If you're employed, your employer usually owns what you create.
• Plagiarism claims: It’s hard to legally prove copying unless it's clearly a duplicate – but even small similarities can cause public backlash.
• Call-out culture: Designers must think carefully before calling others out online, especially without legal proof. False accusations can backfire.
• Client relationships: Some clients may ask you to cover legal risks (via indemnities), so always read contracts carefully.