Copyright Policy
Every painting and print on this site is my own original work. This page sets out, in plain English, what you own when you buy from me and what stays with me as the artist. The short version: you own the artwork itself. I keep the copyright.
What You Own When You Buy
When you buy an original painting, you own that physical piece. You are free to hang it, display it in your home or place of work, photograph it for your own personal use, pass it on, or give it as a gift.
What does not pass to you is the copyright. Every original I sell is accompanied by a written acknowledgement that reads:
Ownership is limited to the physical artwork, while all copyrights and reproduction rights remain exclusively with the artist.
This is also the position in law. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, copyright stays with the artist unless it is transferred by a separate signed agreement. Buying a painting does not transfer it, and copyright is not sold as part of any sale. The same applies to fine-art prints: a print is a copy supplied for personal display, and the underlying artwork remains mine.
Prints, Reproduction and Licensing
Selling an original does not end my right to reproduce it. I continue to produce and sell fine-art prints of my paintings after the original has found a home, and I continue to show the work in my portfolio, on social media and in advertising. Buying an original means buying the one physical piece, not exclusivity over the image.
Without my written permission, please do not:
- copy, scan, reproduce or print any artwork from this site;
- sell, license or distribute reproductions, including print-on-demand items, merchandise or digital files;
- use any image commercially, including in advertising, packaging, publications, or on a business website or social media account;
- alter, crop or create derivative works from my paintings;
- use my work to train machine learning or generative AI systems.
Licensing is available. If you would like to use an image for a book, an exhibition, a commercial project or anything beyond personal display, please get in touch. Permission is granted in writing, and only in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I own the copyright if I buy an original?
No. You own the physical painting. All copyright and reproduction rights remain exclusively with me as the artist. This is stated in the written acknowledgement supplied with every original, and it is the default position under UK copyright law.
You sold the original. Can you still sell prints of it?
Yes. Fine-art prints of a painting remain available after the original has been sold, and this is normal practice for working artists. Buying an original gives you the unique physical piece, not exclusive rights to the image. If you would like a piece where prints will not be offered, please ask me before purchasing and we can agree that in writing.
Can I buy a piece as a gift for someone else?
Of course, and many people do. You can buy on someone else’s behalf and have the work sent to them directly. Ownership of the physical artwork passes to whoever receives it, and this policy travels with the piece. If you would like the acknowledgement document issued in the recipient’s name, simply tell me when you order.
Can I post photographs of my artwork online?
Yes, and I would love you to. Personal posts on social media are very welcome, and a credit to Dr. Durdana Syed or a tag to @durdanasyedart is always appreciated. What is not permitted is commercial use, or reproducing the image as a product. If you are unsure which side of the line you are on, please ask.
How do I request permission or a licence?
Email me with what you would like to use, where it will appear and for how long, and I will come back to you with terms. Permission is only valid when given by me in writing. Nothing on this page grants a licence by itself.
Who owns the copyright in a commissioned piece?
I do. A commission fee covers my time, materials and the finished artwork, and you receive the physical piece on the same terms as any other original. Copyright and reproduction rights stay with me unless we agree otherwise in a separate signed agreement, which I am happy to discuss before work begins.
Questions or permission requests
If you have a question about permissions, licensing, or anything else on this page, please get in touch. For licensing or permission requests, please include the title of the artwork and how you intend to use it — enquiries with those details can usually be answered in a single reply.