Creative work can be copied the moment it is shared, whether posted online or photographed off a table at a fair. Most artists are not sure what they actually own, what protection is worth pursuing, or what to do when their work gets taken. AI has made this harder and more confusing, and the law is still unsettled and changing fast.

This panel brings four perspectives into the room: an attorney on what the law actually says, a business advisor on what is worth doing and when, a technologist on how platforms and AI treat creative work, and an artist who keeps the conversation grounded in the concerns of people actually making things.

Moderated by Heather Otter, the discussion covers what an artist owns the moment they create something, why preventing copying is mostly a myth and what to do instead, the mechanics of takedowns and cease-and-desist letters, and the honest state of AI and copyright.

You'll walk away with:

• A correct understanding of what you own automatically the moment you create, and what copyright registration does and does not add

• A realistic view of protection: prevention is largely impossible, but deterrence, provenance, and proof of authorship are achievable

• The concrete first moves when work is stolen, including what a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown is and how to decide if enforcement is worth the time and cost

• A grounded explanation of how AI and platforms use creative work, including the difference between training and recommendation systems

This session is for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs at any stage who want a clear and honest picture of where things actually stand.

Panelists: 

• Moderator: Heather Otter (SCAPE)

• Legal: Ken Shiau (Melete Legal)

• Business: Maggie Emerson (Beaucoup Babe)

• Creative: Kathryn Waggener (Durango Creative District)

• Tech: Paul Spitzer (Verra)

This session is free to attend, but registration is required! You can register here: https://whova.com/portal/registration/UNRIEFmZMRD7I2oCb9W1/