OnlineArtRights.org: Artists’ Free Speech Protections Resource Goes Live

WASHINGTON – The Center for Democracy & Technology today announced the launch of OnlineArtRights.org, a website that provides a comprehensive overview of artists’ free speech rights when posting their work online.  The website also provides information helpful to those choosing to host controversial art.

OnlineArtRights.org, made possible by a grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, is designed to supply artists and others with information and resources on the First Amendment and other free speech issues they might encounter as they share their art over the Internet.

“We hope that the site provides helpful information – and some reassurances – to artists who create or post art online,” said CDT General Counsel John Morris, who leads CDT’s free expression work.  “The First Amendment provides critical protections for online speech, and artists should feel confident in their rights to display art online.”

The website covers everything from legal protections for hate speech and nudity in art to the restrictions on using another’s work in satire and remixes.  The "Issues" section of the site features several levels of discussion about the laws governing different types of subject matter.  The "Roles" section looks at the different considerations an artist and a content host might make when deciding whether to post material online, while the "Risks" section outlines the potential legal and practical issues – including copyright infringement claims and terms of service violations – that artists should consider as the post their work online.

CDT also invites interested artists to submit their work for possible display on the site to [email protected].  Artists can find more information about submitting their work here.