Copyright Policy
Ownership of Intellectual Property
All content on this website, including but not limited to images, artwork, text, and multimedia, is the exclusive property of Robert Santoré, unless otherwise stated. This content is protected by the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code), European Union Copyright Directive (Directive 2001/29/EC), and applicable international copyright laws under the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886).
Under these laws, all original artistic works are automatically copyrighted as soon as they are created and fixed in a tangible medium of expression (e.g., painting, photography, or digital artwork). No formal registration is required for copyright protection to apply, though Robert Santoré may register certain works with the U.S. Copyright Office for additional legal benefits.
Exclusive Rights
As the copyright holder, Robert Santoré retains the exclusive rights to:
– Reproduce the work (in copies or other formats)
– Distribute copies of the work to the public by sale, lease, or lending
– Display the work publicly (including digital and print formats)
– Create derivative works (e.g., prints, adaptations, or modified versions of original works)
– Import/export the artwork globally, subject to applicable trade laws
No individual or entity may use, reproduce, display, distribute, or create derivative works of any content on *RobertSantore.com* without the explicit, written consent of Robert Santoré.
Fair Use Policy (U.S.)
Under U.S. law, certain limited uses of copyrighted materials are permitted without the copyright owner’s consent under the doctrine of “fair use” (17 U.S. Code § 107). Examples of fair use include commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, these uses must adhere to strict criteria, including the purpose, nature, amount, and effect on the potential market value of the copyrighted work.
Fair Dealing (EU)
In the European Union, “fair dealing” applies similarly, but with more restrictive applications, such as quotation for review or criticism, news reporting, or educational purposes. The reuse of Robert Santoré’s works must fall under these specific categories and must not conflict with the normal exploitation of the work.
Moral Rights (International Law)
In addition to economic rights, under international law (Berne Convention, Article 6bis), Robert Santoré retains moral rights to:
1. Attribution (the right to be recognized as the author of the work)
2. Integrity (the right to prevent any modification, distortion, or mutilation of the work that could harm the artist’s honor or reputation)
These moral rights are recognized globally and are perpetual, even after the transfer or sale of the physical artwork.
Image Licensing
Licensing agreements can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Interested parties must contact Robert Santoré directly for the terms of use, reproduction, or distribution of specific artworks. Unauthorized commercial use, display, or reproduction of Robert Santoré’s artwork will be treated as a violation of copyright law, which may result in legal action.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (U.S.)
This site complies with the DMCA (17 U.S. Code § 512). If you believe that any material on this site infringes upon your copyright, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice by contacting us at [hello@robertsantore.com](mailto:hello@robertsantore.com). Please include your contact information, identification of the infringing material, and a statement confirming that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
Use of Embedded Content
Some pages on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images) from third-party websites. This content behaves as if the visitor has visited the third-party website. These websites may have their own copyright policies and practices, and *RobertSantore.com* does not assume responsibility for any infringements arising from the use of embedded content.
International Copyright Protection
This site and its content are protected under the Berne Convention, which grants automatic copyright protection to creative works across more than 180 member countries. Robert Santoré’s work is thus protected in all countries that adhere to the Berne Convention, the TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), and other related treaties.
Penalties for Copyright Infringement
Infringement of these copyrights may result in civil and criminal penalties under U.S. Copyright Law (17 U.S. Code § 501). Infringers could be subject to:
– Statutory damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 per work, depending on the nature of the infringement.
– Actual damages or profits earned from the infringement.
– Additional legal remedies under EU law, including injunctions and seizure of infringing materials.
International law also provides avenues for enforcement through cooperation between national courts and intellectual property organizations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Contact Us
If you have questions about copyright matters, permission requests, or licensing inquiries, please contact us here.