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I have to say that the only effective way I can think of to prevent artistic identity theft- plagiarism- dowright thievery- is to educate the public. The sawed-off shotgun technique would be simpler, but less legal and would rack up more in travel expenses. If your average art buyer can be taught to distinguish between an original work and a piece of canvas run through an inkjet printer with a stolen, low-res image, then maybe we have a chance.

Because in this age of the internet- not to mention tiny digital cameras, and even Photoshop to get rid of watermarks- everything is available at the convenient click of a mouse.

You absolutely have the right to have your creative outpourings protected as yours, but even if you have them registered with, say, the United Sates government, that doesn't protect your artwork from, for example, someplace in China (the most common offender) from selling them as "high-quality, artist-signed, limited-addition prints".

Until the public learns, well, there are watermarks. And posting low-res images only on the internet. Tracking your downloads for questionable users. Keeping your eyes open for the sly camera at your shows. And really, really appreciating all of those people who can see and understand your work for how valuable it really is.

Learn more about this author, Kellie Hall.
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