I had a mother who was a world renowned ceramic artist, I am not joking: She has one piece of art represented at the Metropolitan Museum Of Modern Art in New York and she was invited to exhibit at the Victoria & Albert museum in London also known as V&A. She would from time to time, all the way through out our lives together, vent her frustration at me when people copied her work!
As a child, teenager, young adult and adult I had no idea what to do, until I started studying the law at 35, and fell in love with intellectual property (IP). However despite me specialising in IP, she refused flatly to listen to me, despite me knowing full well that there were things to be done!
Looking back I do believe that she thought she had to rely solely on copyright legislation and that simply isn’t a strong enough legislation. Had she listened to me I would have suggested a registered trademark as the way forward for her. I would also have suggested that she refrain from revealing her trade secrets(!) which she did reveal at least once, almost as if the other person was someone she could trust!?!
It turned out that that person wasn’t someone that she could trust. Again, there I was first of all flabbergasted that she had shared every single detail of her work process for a specific type of her art, and second of all wanting to help and support her, yet being completely thwarted in my efforts.
This was when I realised that she couldn’t possibly be the only person thinking that either nothing can be done, or that copyright legislation is the only legislation to rely on. Let me tell you, it isn’t. The magnificent thing is that all the IP legislation goes hand in hand to form a stronger shield of protection for you. The more you have the stronger the shield.
Let me add a side note: Normally I don’t like to suggest that we can’t trust other people, however when it comes to business and our livelihoods then I would like to just add a little caution into the mix. It’s far better to be safe than sorry. Also remember that the IP legislation was created to give financial incitement to innovators and creators, so that our society keeps evolving. and that the creative and innovative people are financially remunerated for their work.
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So, you see my mother, may she rest in peace, is the reason I do what I do.
Below you see one of those pieces that she revealed the tradesecrets for to that person. The cabin bag next to it is for size reference.
NOTA BENE
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