Art Fair Jerks (the artists, I mean)

The Online Photographer: Researchers Claim Progress in Device to Disable Digital Cameras

There was a fellow at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs that could have used a device like this. At least it would have been less obnoxious than filling his booth with signs that read, "No video. No cameras. No cellphones with cameras. No recording." Or something to that effect -- I wanted to take a picture of his signs, but the 'minder' at the front of the booth spied my camera hanging on my shoulder, and made a point of standing next to me, ready to shove it down my throat, I suspect, if I had made a move to raise it.

So what was it that this particular artist was so concerned about? Some sort of photography, or multi-media work in frames. I'm not sure, because I made a point of immediately moving on, telling the minder that I found it distressing that someone would display their work in a public venue and then attempt to indimidate anyone from taking pictures of it.

I know that some art fair artists are concerned about copyright infringement, but this just strikes me as misguided. If they have something that is truly unique, you can bet that one way or another there will be copycats by next selling season. The trick is to stay ahead of your competition, not act like the boy with his finger in the dam, believing that you can control who views your artwork, and for what purpose.

And ultimately, if you register your works with the copyright office, then you have recourse if someone blatantly steals your work and passes it off as their own.

Ideas? Well, good luck stopping someone from stealing your ideas. If you put them on public display, then anyone that views your work may certainly come away with ideas.

There is a wonderful story in the Zen of Computing, where a master thief declares that he is stealing things of great importance from a computer trade show. Try as he might, the security guard can find nothing of importance on the thief as he exits the show each day. Exasperated, he finally asks the thief if he will declare himself. "Ideas", replies the thief, tapping his head.

Rather than pursuing copyright infringement for theft of ideas, an artist has other avenues available -- trade secrets, patents, and trademarks. Each of these can make sense in various ways, and they each have their strong and weak points.

Sometimes, though, just staying one step ahead of your competition is the best protection. If they are just now taking pictures of your work, then they are already behind, playing catch-up.