Artists Advised To ‘Mind Yuh Business’ And Protect Their Creative Legacies At CARIFESTA XV
Artists got more than inspiration at CARIFESTA XV on Tuesday when they received valuable advice on protecting their creative work.
During the Big Conversation Series in Barbados, business lawyer Marlon Hill led a fireside chat that helped creatives better understand the full life cycle of an artist, from passion to legacy.
As he spoke during CARIFESTA XV’s Big Conversation Series titled “Mind Yuh Business: Securing Your Creative Work” in Barbados, he emphasised the importance of artists protecting their legacies and urged creatives to first understand why they pursue their art as a foundation for building sustainable careers and securing long-term value.
« The colonial legacies and the education system does not prioritise thisoil well of art, it does not right… so it’s very important for artists to really understand what is your legacy, what is your body of work, why is that important? »
He also emphasised the importance of valuing original creations, whether or not they are formally registered.
According to Mr. Hill, understanding and protecting intellectual property is essential to securing creative legacy.
« The reason generally that you register the work is if anyone uses your works without your permission and you have to go to court generally speaking you should be able to get your attorney’s fees back and when you register the work it’s like having a title to the ownership of your work. »
Mr. Hill also advised that formal agreements should be used, even when working with family members.
He noted that this is often overlooked, as many artists assume their business is either too small or too large to be affected. However, he stressed that clear, written agreements are essential to protecting creative work and avoiding future disputes.
« Three main legs of most businesses, I don’t care what type of business you are as an artist, you must understand what it is that you’re doing, how you are going to pay for it, how you going to get the word out there for more people to want to buy your work or support your work, whether you are a big artist, emerging artist, it’s the same formula, very, very important. »
Mr. Hill also underscored the importance of reading the terms and conditions on digital platforms before clicking “agree.”
He warned that many users simply scroll to the end without realising the rights they may be unknowingly giving up, especially when it comes to ownership and control of their creative work.
