Oaklands Art Club Copyright & Inspiration Policy
1. Ownership of Original Work
All artwork displayed on this website remains the intellectual property of the individual club member who created it. By submitting work for display, members confirm they hold the necessary rights to show the piece.
2. Learning through Study (Master Copies)
Our club encourages members to develop their skills by studying the works of other artists. Under UK “fair dealing” exceptions, copying an artist’s work for private research or personal study is generally permitted.
- The “70-Year Rule”: You may freely copy and publicly exhibit works by artists who have been deceased for more than 70 years, as these works are in the public domain.
- Modern Works: If the original artist is still living or has been deceased for less than 70 years, their work is protected. While you may copy these for practice at home or in club sessions, you must not publish, exhibit, or sell these copies without express written permission from the copyright holder.
3. “Inspiration” vs. Infringement
Being “inspired by” an artist is part of the creative process, but there is a legal line between inspiration and a “derivative work.”
- Attribution: Any work created as a study or heavily inspired by another must include “sufficient acknowledgement” (e.g., “Sunset over Thames, after J.M.W. Turner”).
- Substantial Copying: If your work reproduces a “substantial part” of an original (judged by quality and importance, not just quantity), it may be considered an infringement if shown publicly without a licence.
- Photographic References: Remember that photographers hold copyright over their images. Using a found photograph as a direct reference for a painting typically requires permission for public display.
4. Member Responsibility
It is the responsibility of each member to ensure their submissions do not infringe on third-party rights. The club acts as a host for member content and does not take responsibility for individual copyright breaches.
5. Takedown Policy (Notice and Takedown)
We respect the rights of all creators. If you are a copyright holder and believe that any work featured on this website infringes your intellectual property, please contact the Webmaster at
with the following:
- Evidence of your ownership of the original material.
Upon receipt of a valid claim, we will remove the content immediately while the matter is investigated.
- Your contact details.
- The specific URL of the alleged infringing work.
Oaklands Art Club 