Yes adele I hope others will add their contributions

My earlier work was copied and it was for my own purposes, i.e. decorating my own walls. But when we replaced them with new ones I had done, we took them to local charity shops because it seemed a shame to bin them. Then there was more talk of copyright and even giving to charity shops was a grey issue, so I always put a little sticker on the back saying who the original artist was. Nowadays I am even more careful and I bin the old ones. A lot of my work is now my own as I got more confident and these I always give to charity. I do copy some paintings still but that is because I have some very lovely books with paintings I would like to reproduce for my own pleasure. Maybe I will think twice about throwing them away in future and start giving them to the charity shops again. A very interesting subject Paul - and one, I feel that will rumble on forever.

Interesting points raised manashree which I agree with. Whilst its understandable artists have to make a living if they are full time I do believe sometimes this can stretch into arrogance quite easily. Personally those I don't have any time for but ones that are genuine and prepared to be flexible which I believe are the majority then I think they are for the most part happy to share their work. Its always polite to ask if you are going to venture into something like this and causes less misubnderstandings in future. If it keeps the legal profession not as profitable then it keeps me happy at least!!

For me copyright is a horrible mark on painting. Whenever I look at the painting having this typical c circled I feel that, this must be belonging to professional artist. My thoughts immediately changes. Even before commenting on this site also I think twice, as for me professional artist are those who are skilled and masters in their particular subjects and i feel so inferior. But its required these days who are working really hard and for those whose art is their bread and butter. Its necessary otherwise its can be misused. I do write my Gallery name that is Bosom Mitra in my paintings and do have a logo of it. I even do have my whole portfolio and content written in each page with logo as a mark and signature, but for me, its a dedication to my love that is Bosom Mitra ( it means bestest buddy) who is my inspiration. I am not a professional artist nor I sell but when I write it I feel happy and to show uniqueness I have created a logo as well. Usually artist make a signature or mention date or name of painting but I never do it and instead of that I write my gallery name and which is purely for the purpose of dedication and love.. Even if it would be a source of income in future then also i will not have a copyright mark. I believe in spreading love in the form of art.