Artworks Behind the Curtain – Creativity and Copyright Law of Theatre Set Designs
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RIS BIB ENDNOTEData publikacji: 11.12.2025
Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2025, 2/2025 (11), s. 185-206
https://doi.org/10.4467/2450050XSNR.25.022.22687Autorzy
Artworks Behind the Curtain – Creativity and Copyright Law of Theatre Set Designs
Theatrical productions are often developed through the collaboration of directors, actors, producers, and many contributors, such as the costume and scenery designers. The copyright law protection for scenery designers and costume designers seems clear in many European countries, which means it can be protected by copyright law. On the contrary, in the copyright law of the United States of America, stage sets and costumes are not clearly protected. Even in those countries where protection is clearer, there are problems with the application of the law, especially in relation to the unauthorized use or adaptation of sets and costumes. Thus, the question arises as to which modifications to a set design violate the designer’s copyright. The study pays special attention to the differences for copyrightability of set designs in the United States and in two European countries (Italy and Hungary) where the protection is clearly defined. In the first half of the article, the conceptual approach to the relevant works, the legal background for the copyright protection of set design, the issue of functionality, and the copyrightability of masking and lighting are presented. The following part sheds light on the exploitation of set design, as the boundaries of adaptation and replica and non-replica licences.
The study is based on the legal sources, relevant legal literature, and legal practice of the given countries.
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Informacje: Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2025, 2/2025 (11), s. 185-206
Typ artykułu: Oryginalny artykuł naukowy
Miskolci Egyetem
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Publikacja: 11.12.2025
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