Copyright
Copyright protects original creative work once it is created and fixed in a tangible form. In many countries, including the US, protection exists automatically at creation. Registration can still matter for enforcement.
In the US, copyright registration is generally required before filing an infringement lawsuit in federal court.
Counterfeit
Counterfeit refers to fake goods. Physical products using your artwork or brand without permission, sold commercially.
Examples:
- Your art on t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, blankets, posters, phone cases
- Product listings that imply legitimacy or ownership they do not have
- Multiple sellers using the same images and mockups
Piracy
Piracy usually refers to unauthorised copying and distribution of digital content.
Examples:
- Downloads of your digital files without permission
- Unauthorised reuploads of image files for mass sharing
- Distribution of a digital product where the value is the file itself
Why the category matters
Different problems run on different rails:
- Counterfeit usually involves products, sellers, and commercial scale
- Piracy usually involves file sharing and digital distribution
- Copyright is the legal framework underneath both
The right response starts with naming the situation accurately.
Related reading
If your work is showing up on physical products you did not authorise, Edwin James IP helps artists stop counterfeit and recover earnings, with no upfront cost.
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