Grischka Petri (Glasgow, Bonn): Cultures of Visual Art Copyright: Artists - Authors - Aliens

Abstract

Cultural aspects of copyright include different legal cultures and systems. Traditionally the Anglo-American copyright system is contrasted with the continental concept of author’s rights. Beyond these legally imprinted definitions, this paper endeavours to highlight some of those aspects of copyright, which rely on cultural, artistic and aesthetic conditions. Firstly, copyright in the visual arts differs considerably from the standard copyright model of texts in that it is closely connected to material culture. This relationship poses specific copyright problems in theory and practice. Secondly, copyright relies on the role of the author. Artists have defined this role autonomously, occasionally clashing with established norms, both legal and cultural. The question emerges whether traditional copyright needs alternatives to accommodate and protect cultural productions that betray its presumed foundations. Art history provides enlightening examples for a re-examination, some of which will be presented in this paper.

Dr. Dr. Grischka Petri

Curriculum Vitae

Grischka Petri promovierte sowohl in Rechtswissenschaft als auch in Kunstgeschichte an der Universität Bonn, wo er als wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter zunächst am Lehrstuhl für Bürgerliches Recht, Arbeitsrecht und Zivilprozessrecht beschäftigt war. Seit 2007 arbeitet er am Kunsthistorischen Institut der Universität Bonn, wo er seit 2009 als Akademischer Rat auf Zeit tätig ist. Zudem ist er seit 2011 Honorary Research Fellow an der School of Culture and Creative Arts an der University of Glasgow. Von Oktober 2014 bis März 2015 war Dr. Dr. Petri Fellow am Käte Hamburger Kolleg „Recht als Kultur“.