Art

Art is an expression of creativity, identity and imagination, but it is also something that can be owned, protected and commercially exploited. For those who create it, artistic work often represents years of dedication and is inseparable from their personal and professional identity. Protecting that work requires an understanding not only of the law, but also of the creative process and the relationships that shape the art world.

At Agapitos, Georgiou & Partners, we have a genuine appreciation for the arts and the people behind them. We advise and represent artists, painters, photographers, illustrators and other visual creators, as well as galleries, collectors, dealers and businesses operating in the art market. We place particular importance on supporting creators, protecting their work and helping them navigate the legal and commercial aspects of their careers.

Intellectual property is central to our work in the arts. We advise on copyright, moral and economic rights, authorship, attribution, reproduction, licensing and the commercial exploitation of artistic works, as well as trademarks and design rights where relevant. We help artists establish ownership, preserve control over how their creations are used and ensure that their rights are recognised and protected. Where those rights are infringed, we assist in challenging unauthorised reproduction, plagiarism, misuse of artistic material and other forms of unlawful exploitation.

We work with artists in negotiating and managing their relationships with galleries, agents, publishers, collectors and commercial partners. Our work includes representation agreements, commissions, exhibitions, consignments, collaborations and sales, as well as licensing arrangements for the use of artistic works in publications, advertising, fashion, merchandise and digital media. We pay particular attention to ownership, exclusivity, attribution, royalties and the distinction between transferring an artwork and granting rights to reproduce or exploit it.

Photography forms part of our wider work with visual creators. We advise on photographic copyright, commissions, publication and reproduction rights, image licensing and the commercial use of photographs, including questions concerning attribution, unauthorised use and the rights of individuals depicted in images.

We also advise collectors, galleries and other art-market participants on the acquisition, sale, ownership and management of artworks and collections. This includes matters concerning authenticity, provenance, title, contractual warranties, insurance, exhibitions, loans and inheritance. We represent clients in disputes involving ownership, copyright infringement, authenticity, contractual obligations and the protection of artistic reputation.

Digital technologies are transforming how art is created, distributed and experienced. From online marketplaces and digital reproductions to artificial intelligence and AI-generated content, new developments raise important questions concerning originality, authorship, copyright and the use of existing artistic works. We assist clients in understanding these challenges and protecting their interests as artistic practices and markets evolve.

Above all, we value the relationships we build with the creators we represent. Our commitment is to ensure that the rights attached to artistic creation receive the attention and protection they deserve, allowing artists to retain control over their work, pursue new opportunities and receive proper recognition for what they create.