Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on January 7, 2008 at 11:48 AM.

It can be helpful to bookmark this page and return when you are able to give it your best attention.

What is Art2Bank and who created it?

Art2Bank is a media platform that provides independent information on the art/ business relationship, art market indices, emerging artists and the benefits of investing in art as an alternative asset.

We have just completed development of our Art Market Platform, a powerful networking and e-commerce tool designed to stimulate art market and economic growth, for the benefit of all.

Read more about Art2Bank and our mission:

About Art2Bank

Becoming an Art Partner

Art Market Platform Features and Benefits

Registering & Login

How do I get started on Art2Bank?

Welcome! The first step is registration. Just click the Member Sign Up at the top right of the site to get started. You need a valid email address, a unique username and a password. Usernames can only be numbers and letters; no funky characters or spaces are allowed. You can use both upper and lowercase letters; however usernames are not case-sensitive. Passwords are case-sensitive, so be careful typing your new password.

Art Partners, be careful when choosing your Display Name because it will also be your Art Market Platform name! The name of your art gallery or art service is a good choice here. If you want to be an Art Partner, we also require that you have a valid credit card or PayPal account.

Since Art2Bank can be used as an e-commerce site, all buyers and platform users must be over the age of 18 ... (or have parental permission and supervision). You also need to familiarize yourself with our rules in the Terms and Conditions and the Rules for Use of Art2Bank's Art Market Platform before registering.

Can I change my username or display name?

Usernames and Display Names on Art2Bank cannot be changed. For this reason, please pause and consider your username carefully before registering.

Why can't I login?
You can't login if your account is not active. When you first register with Art2Bank, we send you a confirmation email. You'll just need to click the confirmation link in this email to get started.

You might also be mistyping your password. Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure the CAPS LOCK is off. If you still can't login, follow the link on the login page to reset your password.

You may also want to try clearing your web browser's cache and cookies, or simply try accessing the site with a different browser program.

Where is my confirmation email? I don't think I got one!
Check your junk mail or spam folder. It may have ended up in there. To prevent this in the future, you can add contact@art2bank.com , partners@art2bank.com and info@art2bank.com to your address book or safe list. In extreme cases you might have to turn off SPAM filters. If you can't find your activation email - contact us to request a manual activation.

I clicked the link in the first confirmation email, but my account isn't active. What now?
Contact us requesting a manual activation.

I can't remember my password, what should I do?
If you cannot remember your password, just click on the reset password link on the login page. Change your password to something you can remember or keep a record of it in a safe place.

I can't remember my username, can I still login?
If you've forgotten your username, email us and start keeping a record of your username in a safe place.

If I forgot my username and/or password and/or email address, what can I do?
In this case, you'll need to contact us and ask for help. Keep in mind we'll need some way for you to prove ownership of the account. If you've lost all your information, you'll have to register anew.

Account Info

How do I change the email address for my Art2Bank account?
If you have an Art Market Platform, you can do this in the User Profile of your dashboard. If you are any other kind of user, sign in as a new user and create a new user profile using your new email address .

How do I change the billing information?
This can be done using your Paypal account.

How do I delete my Art2Bank account?
Are you sure? If you really want to, please contact us to request this and we'll do it for you. Be sure to send the message from the email address on file in your Art2Bank account and provide us with your Art2Bank username.

Can I close my account to start a new one?
We can close the account for you so that you can open a new one. This will attract a sign up fee of £20 and all your current information will be lost and you will need to start from scratch. Please contact us if you would like to close your account.

Can I have more than one account?
Yes, however there are special rules for holding multiple accounts. Please see the Rules for Use of Art2Bank Art Market Platforms for more info.

I don't seem to be receiving any email from Art2Bank. What should I do?

There are a few things you can do to help ensure our emails get through:

· If you are an Art Partner make sure your email address in your User Profile is correct. If this address isn't correct, we can't contact you and neither can buyers.

· Check your spam/junk folder to see if our emails were diverted there by your email client.

· Add Art2Bank's email addresses to your address book. This will ensure our emails don't end up in your spam/junk folder. We recommend adding the following addresses to your contacts list: info@art2bank.com , contact@art2bank.com , and partners@art2bank.com .

· Let us know if you think you're missing an email from Art2Bank by contacting support .

Art Market Platform

What is an Userpic?
An userpic is a small square image that shows up when you post a comment and in your Art Market Platform. It adds a visual element to your identity on Art2Bank, complementing your Display Name.

How do I add/upload an Userpic?
Go to Update your Profile. Click the browse button to locate the image file on your computer, then make sure to click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the screen. Make sure your original image is a square, otherwise there will be distortion,

How do I create my own Userpic?
You can use a variety of image manipulation applications, like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP, to tweak a photo you've taken. Your userpic image should be 75 x 75 pixels in size at 72 dpi resolution. The files should be one of these formats: .jpg, .gif or .png.

How do I add a Bio?
Go to User Instructions and follow the instructions for creating an @right entry. Your Bio while then appear in the right hand column.

How long can my Bio be?
As long as you'd like it to be, includes images and text.

Can I use HTML formatting in my Bio?
We do not allow any user-created HTML formatting anywhere on the site except for PayPal and Skype generate buttons. We have designed Art2Bank to provide a consistent visual experience, while at the same time giving users a high degree of flexibility over their layout and text formatting.

Site Features

What are tags? How do they work?
Tags are keywords used to sort items on Art2Bank. It is best to use your categories as ideas for your tags.

What are keywords? How do they work?

Keywords are very important for communicating what your Art Market Platform is about for Search Engines (SE). Best to use double (or triple) worded descriptive keywords (phrases), normally with a top-level word combined with a descriptive word e.g. contemporary art, functional art, art market, art investment.

What are Search Engines (SE)?

Search Engines are Googlebots/Spiderbots/Spiders that analyse your content several times a day. The quality of your content is extremely important for gaining more visits to your Art Market Platform. The SE decide how unique and valuable this content is and the type of readers this would interest, from the results of their analysis they send your Art Market Platform an appropriate allocation of visitors. Each time a SE sends a visitor they note how long they stay and what they read and re-adjust the future visitors accordingly.

What tips can you give for Search Engine Optimisation?

The best content is:

· Unique (not found elsewhere, this is your niche)

· Abundant (lots of words)

· Relevant (regularly repeated keywords that describe and reinforce your niche theme)

· Timely (current, breaking news is best)

· Published regularly - every time you publish a new entry, Art2Bank automatically calls/pings Google and Technorati (the largest SE) to your entry and other SE follow at regular intervals.

What does "RSS" mean?
An RSS Feed is a way to keep track of when new content is added to a website. You need to utilize a special software program called a "feedreader" or "aggregator." You can subscribe to the RSS feed at the top right of Art2Bank's pages and be informed when new items are listed.

Will you add XYZ as a category, subcategory or sub-subcategory?
We will add the most requested categories. Please use our suggestions form - we'd love to hear your ideas! It helps if you can link us to an item so we can see an example of what you are talking about. Please add your suggestion as a tag to your listings where accurate.

I have an idea to make Art2Bank better, would you like to hear it?
We are always looking for new ideas and improvements. We have made a suggestions form for just this purpose.

Site Abuse

Where can I find Art2Bank's rules?
Art2Bank's rules are outlined in the Terms and Conditions (which is a legal agreement for using the site) and in the Rules of Use of Art2Bank Art Market Platform.

How do I report a violation of Art2Bank's policies?
You should use the Report an Item form to let us know. We take all such matters seriously and act on them promptly.

What are the consequences for breaking Art2Bank's rules?
First and foremost, we can usually work things out with a member personally and privately. If this is not successful, a member's site privileges may be suspended or an account may be terminated.

Making a Purchase

How do I pay the Art Partner, Art Market Platform user, Seller, Art Expert or Service Provider?

If you're paying by PayPal or credit card via PayPal, there will be a big button that says Pay Now with PayPal. Click here to be transferred to a secure PayPal page where you can pay for your purchases.

Other methods of payment may be arranged with Art Partners individually.

Is Art2Bank in USD? How do I handle currency conversions?
Art Partners will generally make it clear as to the currency they are using when quoting a price. When you click on the PayPal button you will also be able to see which particular currency that Art Partner is using, the most common are $'s and £'s and will be automatically converted by PayPal before being taken out of your account.

What is PayPal, how does it work on Art2Bank, and how do I buy items with it? PayPal™ is an online payment processing company widely used on the Internet to facilitate sales transactions, including credit card payments. You might think of PayPal as a big credit card machine. They will "run" your card for the platform user. The platform user will never see your credit card number. Art2Bank is not affiliated with or subsidized by PayPal.

For more info and assistance with PayPal, check out these resources:

PayPal: Help Centre

Do I have have to be a member of PayPal to submit a payment by credit card?
No. However, if you'd like an account, follow PayPal's instructions for set up. You'll just need an email address and a password. Creating an account will entitle you to PayPal protection services and other perks.

Buyers can submit payment by credit card through PayPal without having a PayPal account. Check out this helpful walk through of that process:

Reporting a Problem

As a buyer, how I do I report a problem with a transaction?
If you have problems with your transaction, please contact the platform user directly using the contact details provided on their website to work toward a resolution. If the platform user does not respond to your email, and you believe that items have not shipped as promised, you may Report an Item to Art2Bank. If you paid with PayPal , you may contact their customer support to inquire about a claim for refund. Please use the feedback system to review the platform user's product and service.

For more info and assistance with PayPal, please visit:

PayPal: Help Centre

How do I report a problem with an item I received?
If you have problems with your item, contact the platform user via their email to work toward a solution. If you paid with PayPal, you may contact their customer support to inquire about an "item not as described" claim. If you believe you have received an illegal or harmful product, please contact qualified authorities.

For more info and assistance with PayPal, please visit:

PayPal: Help Centre

More Help

I didn't find my answer here. Where else can I get help?

Frequently Asked Questions (Selling)

Here you'll find answers to questions about selling on Art2Bank. Just click a question in the list below and you'll be taken to the answer.

There are more helpful resources linked on the menu to the left.

Becoming an Art2Bank Platform user

How do I become a platform user on Art2Bank?
First you'll need to register. Then proceed to Becoming an Art Partner. Note: You will need a valid credit card (or a debit card with a credit card logo) to become a platform user.

Who can be a platform user?
Anyone who is at least 18 years of age can be a platform user on Art2Bank. Check out the Terms and Conditions and the Rules for Use of Art2Bank's Ar Market Platform for more specific membership requirements.

Can kids have Art2Bank Art Market Platforms?
If you are under 18, you may use Art2Bank only with the permission and supervision of a responsible adult (parent or legal guardian

What is an Art Market Platform?
Every platform user on Art2Bank gets their own Art Market Platform free of charge. The web address (also called a URL) for your Art Market Platform will be in this format: http://www.Art2Bank.com/art-partners/display_name. This is the link you can share to easily direct people to your items for sale. Every entry you publish will automatically show up in your Art Market Platform and will be stored in the Archives, in addition to being placed in the public category you listed it in.

Can I customize my Art Market Platform?
You certainly can. Once you're logged in, using the URL given in your Art Partner Welcome email, you can upload a Userpic in the Update your Profile section. You can upload a banner in the Opening Text that will show up at the top of your platform, give your Art Market Platform a descriptive title and welcome message, publish dynamic and static entries and pages. We do not allow user-generated HTML in Art Market Platforms, except for PayPal and Skype generated buttons. To use any other HTML please get permission from Art2Bank. See our user guide for more details.

I'm in Canada, or the US or anywhere else in the world besides the UK - can I sell on Art2Bank?
Yes, as long as you've got a valid credit card, you can sign up. We have members all over the world! We're working on making Art2Bank an international marketplace.

I already have a PayPal account. How do I become a platform user?
Proceed to the Member Sign Up section and follow the instructions for Becoming an Art Partner.

Can I change my username?
No. Usernames cannot be changed, as this undermines the feedback system and breaks our database.

Does my username have to match my store name?
No, your username is not visible in public areas of the site, your Display Name is your Art Market Platform name. Your username cannot be changed, so please think carefully before registering. Here are some things to think about when picking a name:

Can I close my account to start a new one with a different username?
If you really want to, yes you can. Note that you'll lose all data (including entries, welcome message and comments) when doing this. Note - there is a £10 fee to cover administration of new platform setup. Contact us to close an account.

Can I have more than one Art Market Platform?
A person may have more than one account. There are certain policies you must adhere to, including full disclosure of ALL your Display Names/Art Market Platform names in your About Us section of your platform. Additionally, your actions under one username will apply to all your accounts. So if you break the rules, the consequences effect you across the board. Please see the Rules for Use (under Membership) for our policies regarding multiple accounts.

Can more than one person operate an Art Market Platform?
An Art Market Platform involving more than one person is a Business. Users must then comply with all local business laws. Please also see the Rules for Use (under Membership) for our policies for multi-user Art Market Platforms. The platform should have a clearly visible About Us page which gives details of all those significant parties, their contact details and their role in the business. The individual who registers the Art2Bank account will be held responsible for all activity, content and fees associated with the account. Only one user can access the Art2Bank system at a time, additional authoring licenses can be purchased. Art2Bank will not mediate disputes between people using the same account.

Fees & Billing

How do Art2Bank fees work?
There is a £9.99 monthly usage fee which covers use of our software, hosting and support. All prices are inclusive of Vat. There is also a £20 start up fee to activate your platform and authoring license. Please see here for more details.

Is there a fee to get started (open an Art Market Platform)?
Yes, there is a £20 set up fee described above to cover administration, software activation and an international authoring license.

Why is my credit card getting declined by PayPal?
Ensure the following:

· You are using a credit card or debit with credit card logo on it.

· You are entering the correct CCV number. This number is the last group of numbers on the back of your card. Depending on your card, it could be anywhere from 2-4 digits. Most cards in the USA have 3-digit CCV numbers.

· Your credit card number is not more than 16 digits long.

· If you are locked out of the system, wait 24 hours before entering the information again. This will allow the system to reset. If your card still doesn't work, please contact your card provider and contact PayPal.

PayPal is charging me a small fee to test my card?
No, you are not actually charged this money. You may see this is an authorization test on your statement, but this will be removed once the card has been validated.

Selling Policies

What items can I sell on Art2Bank?
Galleries, dealers or art services can sell any quality art or art related services (as long as it complies with our Terms and Conditions). Check out the Rules for Use of Art2Bank's Art Market Platform (under Selling) for more detailed rules.

What items can't I sell on Art2Bank?
Galleries, dealers or art services can sell any quality art or art related services. Mass-produced items are not in the spirit of Art2Bank. Commercially-produced items are limited to the supplies and must be tagged appropriately. Illegal items are not allowed. Check out the Rules for Use of Art2Bank's Art Market Platform for detailed rules and a list of other prohibited items. Items not in compliance with our policies may be unlisted by Art2Bank Admin.

Banners

How do I upload a banner?
First, make sure you have your properly sized image saved on your local computer. Your banner should be 560 X 120 pixels and suitable for web. Upload your banner in the Opening Text entry using instructions detailed here. Banners must be .jpg, .png or .gif file format.

Why does my banner look wrong/fuzzy/pixelated/stretched?
Your source file was not the proper dimensions. Make sure to pay attention to exact pixel size specified on the banner upload page (760px wide by 100px high).

How do I create my own banner?
You'll need to use an image editing program (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Gimp or Paint) to make your graphic the right size (560px by 120px) for your Art Market Platform banner. You can also include words and images on your banner.

Art Market Platform Policies

What are Art Market Platform Policies?
Your Art Market Platform Policies page provides information buyers need to know in order to make an informed purchase from your Art Market Platform. On Art2Bank, each transaction happens directly between the buyer and the Art Partner. Art2Bank has some site-wide policies (like what can or cannot be listed on the site), but it is up to each platform user to determine certain sales terms for their own Art Market Platform.

Where do I add/edit my Art Market Platform Policies page?
You can add an About Us or Policy static page to the right hand column of your platform by creating a @right tagged page. This is quick and easy to do. More specific instructions and support are provided on sign up.

Are Art Market Platform Policies required for every platform user?
Art Market Platform policies are not required, however we do strongly recommend that each platform user define some basic Art Market Platform policies for payment, shipping and returns/exchanges. These policies will help you and your customers resolve possible disputes that may arise. For example, knowing in advance whether an item can be returned might save you and your customer a lot of time and can help make the transaction go more smoothly.

What should I include in my Art Market Platform Policies?
We recommend having basic policies for payment, shipping and returns/exchanges. You may also want to consider including additional policies or information about custom orders or consignment availability. Please keep in mind that your policies must not contradict any of Art2Bank's site-wide policies, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the Rules of Use for Art2Bank's Art Market Platform and the Terms and Conditions before writing your Art Market Platform policies.

Do a platform user's Art Market Platform Policies override Art2Bank's site-wide policies?
No. A platform user's Art Market Platform Policies may not contradict Art2Bank's site-wide policies. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Rules of Use for Art2Bank's Art Market Platform and the Terms and Conditions before writing your Art Market Platform policies.

Image Help

I'm having trouble uploading pictures, can you help?
Ensure that the file is 250k in file size or below - most users will be timeout before uploading larger files than that. Ensure the file is a properly encoded .jpg, .gif or .png. Is there a firewall that could be blocking your uploads? This might be the case if you work for a large and/or high internet security company and you're trying to upload from work. Try to alter your firewall settings or take the firewall down briefly to test the transfer.

Why do my thumbnail images keep getting cut off or misaligned?
Thumbnails on Art2Bank are a perfect square and only show top left portions of the image for quick reference. We crop from the centre point of the image. Your entire original photo will show on the entry page.

What size can entry images be?
Gallery images can be up to X pixels wide.

Why do my photos look wrong (blurry, distorted, etc)?
Make sure your original image is at least 430 pixels wide. If it's not, we'll stretch it to fit the page and this will cause unpleasant effects.

Are watermarks acceptable on my photos?
You're welcome to use them. We recommend keeping them subtle so the focus is on your product, not your watermark.

What file format can I use for my photo?
The following file extensions are valid: .jpg, .gif and .png. All images are resampled as .jpg files with a quality of 90. Uploading animated .gif files won't work.

What size (dimensions) do my photos appear in the listing?
The detail image in all item listings is 430 pixels wide.

What dimensions should my uploaded photo be?
The minimum size for your photo should be 430 pixels wide (with variable height). We recommend using an image that is around 800 - 1000 pixels wide. Using an original image of this size lets your customers use the Zoom button to see the larger image.

What is the largest file size ("k size", mb) allowed for my photo?
Most images should be around 250k.

What resolution should my photo be?
Every image on the web is displayed at 72dpi (dots per inch). Anything greater than that will create very large file sizes without adding anything to the quality.

Should I use CMYK or RGB for my listing photos? (What do these mean?)
You should use RGB, which stands for Red/Green/Blue. CMYK is only for print (and stands for Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black). CMYK images will not work on the web. You can change the colour mode of your images to RGB using an image editing program. (Most photos from a digital camera will already be in RGB mode.)

Why should I use advice for helping me improve my product photography?
Because good quality photos are a very important aspect of selling successfully on Art2Bank.

PayPal

What is PayPal™?
PayPal is an online payment processing company widely used on the Internet to facilitate sales transactions. It allows buyers to securely use a credit card or their bank account to submit payment for Art2Bank purchases. Art2Bank is not affiliated with or subsidized by PayPal; they are an independent service.

Visit PayPal for more information about their services:

PayPal: Help Centre

How does PayPal work on Art2Bank?

1.      Buyer clicks on the "buy" button and selects PayPal as the Payment Method. As soon this happens, Art2Bank will email both platform user and buyer a notification of the Art2Bank sale.

2.      Art2Bank links the buyer to an automatically generated PayPal invoice at PayPal.com.

3.      Buyer can either sign into their PayPal account, or they can use a credit card without having to register for an account.

4.      PayPal will send buyer and platform user email receipt for payment submitted or received.

5.      Platform user will see money deposited into PayPal account. The payment may need to be "confirmed" on the platform user's end.

How do I open a PayPal account?
You will need to go to www.paypal.com and register. PayPal requires anyone selling goods on the Web to have a Premier or Business account.

How do I add PayPaI as a payment option to my Art2Bank Art Market Platform? Will this add the PayPal logo in my listings?
Once you have your own PayPal Business account > go to Merchant Tools > Generate the html for your chosen payment button specification > Create a relevant entry on your Art Market Platform > change the text type to HTML and paste the script in the blank page one line from the top of the page > Change text back to Rich Text format > create your entry, moving your PayPal button to the correct position with normal formatting functions > Preview, Test and Publish.

Why is the shipping wrong on the PayPal invoice?
When the shipping charge on your PayPal invoice is incorrect, you'll need to adjust your PayPal account settings. If you need to revise the invoice for the customer, go to your PayPal account and click on "request money" to send a corrected invoice.

To check your PayPal settings:

1.      Log into PayPal at www.paypal.com

2.      Go to My Account > Profile > Shipping calculations (in the Selling Preferences column)

3.       Select the Shipping Method and click Edit

4.       Select Yes for "Override shipping methods per transaction" and press Save Changes.

Please note that if you have not set up any Shipping Calculations in PayPal, the default is to override shipping methods per transaction (you should not need to change anything). Also note that the above instructions are for PayPal.com; other country-specific versions of PayPal may differ slightly.

Do I need a PayPal account to sell on Art2Bank?
It's not required, but the majority of platform users offer it and many buyers prefer it.

My customer doesn't have a PayPal account. Can they just use a credit card to buy?
Buyers can submit payment by credit card through PayPal without having a PayPal account.

Copyright FAQ

Disclaimer: The information contained in the Copyright FAQs constitutes legal information and not legal advice. The reader assumes all responsibility for any and all use of this information. Please consult a licensed attorney for specific questions. This FAQ may be periodically updated.

What is intellectual property?
Intellectual property is an umbrella term referring to commercially valuable creations of the mind. These creations include inventions, artwork, symbols, names, and designs. Intellectual property protection options include copyrights, trademarks, and patents. The appropriate protection option depends on the work itself. For example, a copyright may protect creative expression such as a painting, photograph or film. A trademark may protect a word, logo, symbol, or design that identifies the creator of a product. A patent may protect new technological innovations.

What is a copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in UK and US Law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright protects, for example, literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as paintings, sculptures, poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. With exception, copyright protection exists from the moment of creation and lasts until 50 years after the death of the creator in the UK (70 years in the US).

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
Copyright protects "original works of authorship," while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Copyright protects creative expression, whether that expression is in the form of, for example, a painting, a book, or a sculpture. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

For example, I don't have to open a box of biscuits or read the ingredient list to know the quality of the biscuits. By looking at the logo on the box I know who made the biscuits and I know what to expect. The logo on a biscuit box is probably a trademark while the artistic design on the box is probably a copyright.

When I have a copyright, what rights do I have?
Generally, the copyright owner has the exclusive right to and to authorize others to:

1. Reproduce the work;

2. Prepare "derivative" works based on the work;

3. Distribute copies of the work;

4. To perform the work publicly, in the case of, for example, musical works;

5. Display the work publicly, in the case of, for example, musical works; and

6. In the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of a digital audio transmission.

What is a derivative work?
A derivative work is a copyrightable creation, which is based on one or more existing works. Only the holder of the copyright of the original can produce or give permission to another to create the next version. A derivative work usually involves a transformation. For example, a film based on a book is likely a derivative work.

What is not protected by copyright?
Copyright protects expression. Copyright does not protect ideas. Copyright does not protect facts, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. Copyright does not protect titles, names, short phrases, slogans, familiar symbols or designs, mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, colouring, or mere listings of ingredients or contents.

Copyright does not protect the mechanical or utilitarian aspects of a design. A "useful article" is an object having an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not merely to portray the appearance of the article or to convey information. Examples are clothing, furniture, machinery, dinnerware, and lighting fixtures. A useful article may have both copyrightable and uncopyrightable features. For example, a carving on the back of a chair might be protected by copyright, but the design of the chair itself might not be protected by copyright. Some designs of useful articles may qualify for protection under the federal patent law.

Finally, copyright does not protect works that are too old, and therefore have fallen into the public domain.

What is the public domain?
In the US, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection generally begins at the moment of creation and lasts 70 years after the death of the author. After this time, the work loses protection and falls into the public domain. Certain works that were created but not published or registered with the copyright office before January 1, 1978 lose protection 50 years after the author's death.

Even if a work is in the public domain, under private-property laws, the owner may still restrict access to the work. For example, Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Starry Night" is in the public domain, but an image produced by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is protected. When in doubt, ask permission before you use a pre-existing work.

Does one have to file any forms for copyright protection?
No. In the UK and US, copyright protection automatically exists from the moment the work is created. However, if you live in the US, it is suggested to register ones work with the U.S. Copyright Office. It is highly suggested to register ones work within three months of publication (posting an image on the Internet may constitute publication).

How does one register for copyright protection?
In the US, copyright registration currently costs $45 (fees are subject change) for a group of works, consists of one form and requires zero lawyers. The exact form to use depends on the type of work one is registering. For example, Form VA is for visual arts registration, Form TX is for literary works, Form PA is for performing arts, and Form SR is for sound recordings. To be safe, it's advisable to register your works for copyright at least four times a year (that's every three months). The current forms are found for free on the U.S. Copyright website, www.copyright.gov .

To register you need to mail the form, payment, and one or two copies or photos of each work to the copyright office. The copies or photos are called the deposit requirements. The number of copies depends on the exact type of work (for example, a piece of jewellery or an unpublished literary work) you're registering. The form each contains plain English instructions and provides information concerning the deposit requirements. Also, according to the copyright office, you will soon be able to register online.

Should one register for copyright even if one keeps accurate documentation of their work, takes screen shots, dates everything, and mails them self photographs and keeps the mail without opening the envelope?
Yes. It is always advisable to register. All of these methods are great ways of keeping track of work but, as explained in this FAQ, there are benefits to copyright registration.

After one fills out the form and sends it in, how long will it take to get their certificate?
According to the copyright office, it can take up to six months to receive a certificate of registration in the mail.

What is a copyright notice? Do I need to put one on our work?
A copyright notice is a placed on work in order to inform others of copyright ownership. You may place a copyright notice on your work even if your work is not registered with the copyright office. A copyright notice generally consists of the symbol or word "copyright" or "copr." or the symbol "©" and the name of the copyright owner, and the year of first publication, for example, ©2007 Art2Bank T. Frost. In the United Kingdom it is not necessary to mark your piece as being copyrighted, although it is suggested. Just because a work does not have a copyright marking or copyright notice does not necessarily mean it is in the public domain and free to use without obtaining prior permission.

What is my liability if I sell counterfeit (knock off) goods?
Art2Bank prohibits the selling of counterfeit goods. Please do not sell them. A platform user may be held liable for selling counterfeit products if the platform user knows or has reason to know that the products are counterfeit. If the platform user fails to inquire about the authenticity of the products, for fear of what such inquiry may yield, this may constitute knowledge. Once knowledge has been established, a seller user of counterfeit products may be held liable for counterfeiting.

How can I allow someone to use my work?
As explained above, the owner of a copyright has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, publicly display and make a derivative work. The copyright owner may enter into an agreement with another individual and grant this person one or more of these rights. Although an agreement may be oral, there are inherent benefits to a written agreement. It's up to the two parties to agree upon the details, for example, what rights to grant, what timeline is appropriate, and what, if any, fees to charge.

When one sells an item, what happens to one's copyright?
When one sells or gives away a copyrighted item, unless one has a contract specifying a transfer of one's copyright right, one is only selling the physical item, not any of their rights. For example, when I sell a painting, I am only selling that painting. The buyer is not entitled to the exclusive right to duplicate the painting without my express permission.

However, pursuant to the first sale doctrine, the buyer of a lawfully made item may re-sell that item or otherwise dispose of the possession of that copy without the express permission of the copyright holder. For example, when an individual buys a painting from me, that person may re-sell that painting without getting my permission.