Digital Artists’ Worse Nightmare: Art Theft

Digital Artists’ Worse Nightmare: Art Theft

In 2012, over 50,000 songs worth around $160 million were stolen from Sony Music. Several unreleased collaborations of late pop legend Michael Jackson were pilfered in the theft. The issue of art theft is a growing concern in the entertainment industry as top names such as Ed Sheeran, Lil Uzi Vert, and Frank Ocean, among others.

However, art theft does not only affect the music industry. Digital artists, regardless of their popularity, also are involved.

How Can Digital Artists Prevent Art Theft?

Art theft is already the third largest criminal venture in the world, and many more artists will suffer the menace if more efforts are not invested into mitigating it. Although it seems inevitable to fall victim to this vicious crime, there are a few precautions you can take against cyber thieves.

Watermarks

Adding visible or invisible watermarks to your digital artwork can deter potential thieves. A visible watermark, such as a signature or logo, can make it difficult for someone to pass off your work as their own. Invisible watermarks embedded in the image’s metadata can help track unauthorized use.

Strong passwords

Typically, digital artworks are often password protected; therefore, hackers tend to adopt a brute force attack to obtain passwords to unlock the artworks. Strong and complex passwords can protect you to a great extent. Password managers make it easier to both generate and store strong passwords.

Copyright registration

Registering your digital artwork with the appropriate copyright authorities adds a layer of legal protection. In many countries, copyright is automatically granted upon creation, but official registration strengthens your legal rights and makes it easier to enforce them in case of infringement.

Low-resolution previews

When showcasing your artwork online, consider using low-resolution versions or thumbnails unsuitable for high-quality reproduction. This way, even if someone saves the image, it will not be used commercially without obtaining a higher-resolution version.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage provides a flexible platform for artists to store their creative input. It can provide a backup in the event of art theft. Also, the ease of access provided by cloud storage makes it easier for artists to show off their works to prospective buyers and collaborators.

Consequences of Art Theft

The US Code 668 prescribed a fine or a prison term of not more than ten years for perpetrators of artistic theft. In the case of creative artists, the consequences of art theft are more severe:

  • Economic Loss: According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the black market for stolen artistic works is valued between $4 billion and $6 billion Incidentally, only 10% of stolen pieces have been recovered, meaning that the creators of these arts are left to count their losses while the hackers smile at the bank.

Depending on the nature of the art, the cost of production could range from a few hundred to a few thousand or even millions of dollars. The artists could be deprived of investment returns if the stolen works get published indiscriminately on the web.

  • Emotional and Mental Health: Creative materials can be time-consuming and mentally draining. The grueling studio sessions and rehearsals invested in producing a fabulous work of art worthy of gaining public attention and endorsement are staggering.

Consequently, the theft of such a work could predispose the artist to emotional struggles that further complicate an already dire situation. The experience of art theft could dampen the morale and creativity of the artist and create doubts in their mind about investing in future projects.

Conclusion

The danger of art theft is not exclusive to hackers; consumers of cheap and plagiarised content contribute to propagating the crime. While we look to better days, we believe Art theft is a battle that can be won but would require a concerted effort from artists and everyone involved in creating and storing artwork.

 

An original article about Digital Artists’ Worse Nightmare: Art Theft by Kokou Adzo · Published in

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