International Conference on the Artist's Resale Right

An International Conference on the Artist's Resale Right was held in Geneva on April 28, 2017 ahead of the session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR).

The Conference probed the ability of the resale right to increase artists’ incomes and followed the success of their work. This day of discussion helped to promote a better understanding of the issues involved with the application of the resale right at a global level – looking at the matter from cultural and economic perspectives. The event provided a platform for artists from all regions to express their expectations.

Participants included high-level policy makers from WIPO member states, creators, collective management organizations, academics and members of the private sector such as curators and gallerists, and auction houses.

Find out more about resale right

Visual artists like painters, sculptors and photographers benefit from a resale right (droit de suite) in some 80 countries around the world. This intellectual property right provides a legal foundation for these artists to benefit from proceeds of sales of their works mainly by auction houses or art galleries. These proceeds enable visual artists to live from their art. While a fair number of countries have laws in place, many countries have not yet put these laws in place. With the increased globalization of the art market, visuals artists the world over are losing out on precious income.

Meeting documents
Photos on Flickr
Summary (YouTube) video | Video on demand

Date: April 28, 2017

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Welcome addresses

Sessions

Session one: The International Development of the Art Market

Who are the main players? What are the primary and secondary markets for contemporary art works? Where are the market places? How can visual artists benefit from the globalization of the contemporary art market? What is the role of copyright?

Moderated by Emilie Mermillod, Seydoux & Associés Fine Art, Geneva, Switzerland

Keynote Speaker

Independent art curator, Dakar

Speakers

Session two: The Impact of Resale Right for Artists

The session addressed the impact of the artist’s resale right through artist’s testimonies Prominent modern artists from different parts of the world will engage about their artistic careers and experiences. They shared their views about what is needed to foster further artistic creativity and improve their economic situation.

Moderated by Amobé Mévégué, Cultural editor France 24, Paris

Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Presentation of Study on Resale Right for SCCR

The authoritative academic specialized in art and economics presented an outline of the study commissioned by the 33rd session of the SCCR on the economic implications of the artist’s resale right, which is under progress.

Speaker

Senior Associate Dean, Brandeis International Business School, Waltham, MA

Session three: The Implementation of Resale Right

What is the legal framework of the resale right? What are the conditions for the application of the artist’s resale right? How to increase the traceability of visual art works? What are current policies and practices to support the protection of visual artists?

Moderated by Claudia Von Selle, President of Art law Commission of the International Association of lawyers (UIA), Berlin

Keynote Speaker

Speakers

Session four: The Management of Resale Right

What are the main practical issues related to the administration of the artists’ resale right? What kind of measures will improve governance and transparency? How can countries maximize the economic benefits of the artist’s resale right?

Moderated by Claudia Von Selle