Hampshire Creatives' Advice Hub - Protecting Your Creativity: Copyright and Commercial Rights for Creatives
In this practical and accessible webinar, Alison Bell, Client Partner specialising in commercial law at Hybrid Legal, will explain the fundamentals of intellectual property for creatives – what it is, why it matters, who owns it, and how to confidently grant rights to clients and collaborators without undermining your own position.
The session will include clear explanations, practical examples and an open Q&A, tailored to the needs of creatives working across Hampshire.
What this session will cover
- What is intellectual property?
An introduction to the main types of IP relevant to creatives.
- Who owns the copyright?
Understanding default ownership rules, including the differences between employees and freelancers, commissioned work and common misconceptions.
- Why copyright matters
How copyright underpins the value of your work, your revenue streams and your long-term growth – and why it is often your most important business asset.
- Granting rights with confidence
The difference between assigning and licensing copyright – and why knowing what rights you can (and should) grant is crucial when working with clients.
- AI and creative ownership
How the rise of AI tools complicates authorship, ownership and infringement issues, and what creatives should consider when using AI-generated content.
- Protecting your position
Practical steps you can take to safeguard your work, manage risk and avoid common legal pitfalls.
Format
Introduction and overview
Focused deep-dive into copyright and related IP issues
Live Q&A and discussion
Who should attend
- Creative founders, freelancers and studio owners in the Hampshire County Council area
- Creative professionals working within organisations
- Creative sector advisers and support organisations
No prior legal knowledge required.
Alison will join co-host Rich Burn, Creatives' Business Advisor from Incuhive and the new Hampshire Creatives Advice Hub.
Sign up for the Hampshire Creatives' Advice Hub: https://incuhive.co.uk/acceleration-investment/hants-creatives-advice-hub
Please note - the zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the event.
Speakers
Alison Bell is a Client Partner at Hybrid Legal and has over 16 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer. She advises businesses across a range of industries on commercial contracts, intellectual property, risk management and strategic growth, with particular expertise in supporting creative founders, agencies and digital businesses.
Hybrid Legal is a modern, business-focused law firm supporting founders and growing companies with commercial contracts, intellectual property, data protection and employment law. The firm is known for delivering pragmatic, plain-English advice aligned with the realities of running a business.
Rich Burn is a dynamic business start-up, digital-skills consultant, bid writer and marketing mentor with over 20 years of experience helping organisations and small businesses unlock their potential. With a career spanning marketing, sales, training, public-sector innovation, business support, and hands-on consultancy, he’s known for turning complex ideas into practical, human-centred solutions that drive growth. Rich has worked in corporate life, been a co-owner of a small retail business and worked across multiple sectors including public and third sector, giving him a wide ranges of experience across many fields. Rich brings energy, empathy and humour to every project. Whether mentoring entrepreneurs, supporting public-sector partnerships or running marketing workshops, his goal remains the same: to make business growth, practical, results focussed and simple - inspiring the business owner with confidence and enthusiasm to make that next step towards success.
Rich has worked in publishing (Financial Times/Pearson), marketing of the arts/film & music (including roles at Earls Court & Olympia, Bournemouth International Centre & Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts). Adding to this he has worked on publicly funded programmes as a business advisor with the creative and digital sectors in Dorset and the South East and been actively involved with creative sector communities including Your Are The Media and The Marketing Leaders Forum