Legal Definitions - artistic work

An artistic work refers to a creation that expresses an idea, emotion, or aesthetic vision in a visual, graphic, or three-dimensional form. For legal purposes, particularly concerning copyright, an artistic work must be original, meaning it was independently created by the author and possesses at least a minimal degree of creativity. This broad category encompasses a wide range of creative expressions, from traditional fine arts to architectural designs and digital creations.

• Example 1: Digital Illustration for a Book Cover

  A freelance graphic artist designs a series of intricate, fantastical creatures for a client's new fantasy novel cover. This digital illustration, with its unique style, color palette, and imaginative subject matter, is considered an artistic work. It embodies the artist's original creative expression and possesses the necessary degree of creativity to be protected under copyright law.

• Example 2: Public Sculpture

  A metal artist fabricates a large, abstract sculpture made from recycled industrial parts, intended for display in a city plaza. The sculpture's unique form, composition, and the artist's original arrangement of materials make it an artistic work. It is a tangible expression of the artist's creative vision in a three-dimensional form, intended for public viewing and aesthetic appreciation.

• Example 3: Architectural Design for a Unique Building

  An architectural firm develops a groundbreaking design for a sustainable community center, featuring a distinctive roofline and innovative use of natural light. The blueprints, models, and the resulting building's aesthetic elements are considered an artistic work. They represent the architects' original creative choices in form, structure, and visual appeal, going beyond mere functional requirements to create a unique visual statement.