The starting point is to understand that copyright only protects the expression of a concept (ie, how the concept is actually depicted). Copyright does not protect the concept itself. Artists are free to develop concepts, styles or techniques of earlier artists without infringing copyright.
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01 November 2005
artists' intellectual property NZ
Where does the dividing line sit between being inspired by an earlier work and copying that earlier work? Very few artists can say that their work is not inspired or influenced by other artists. Where does inspiration end and unlawful copying begin?
