International Copyright

International Law? In Our Hobby? Yep — and it’s surprisingly in our favor.

Way back in the 1880s, creative folks were getting ripped off across borders. Artists, writers, and sculptors would put their heart into something, only to see it copied and sold in other countries with no credit. Not cool.

So in 1886, enter the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, a landmark international treaty that brought order to the creative chaos. Signed in Berne, Switzerland (yes, home of the Bernese Mountain Dog), this treaty set the gold standard: when you create something, your rights are automatically protected in all member countries, no need to register, no need to stamp it, notarize it, or bury it in the backyard for safekeeping.

One of the most powerful principles in the Berne Convention is this:

“Authorship is recognized from the moment of creation, and all co-authors are protected equally.”

Your copyright exists automatically from the moment of creation. No need to register, file papers, or beg a government office to acknowledge your hard work. Just create it — and it’s yours.

Here’s the really important part:

If two or more people work together to produce a single creative work, and their names are credited together as authors when that work is shared with the public—that credit alone is stronger than any registration. In fact, it can stand as proof of authorship all on its own.

That simple act—publicly crediting both names on a jointly created work—is a massive deal. It’s a declaration to the world (and all of the courts) that the creation belongs to both of you.

Now here’s where it gets especially relevant for folks like us:

If two or more people work together on a piece and both names are listed when it’s released or sold, that credit line alone proves joint authorship.

Let me say it louder for the people in the back:

Your names together on a published work are stronger proof than any registration.

That’s true in all Berne Convention countries — and especially in places like the USA, UK, Italy, Australia, Germany, and Canada. Every one of them recognizes co-authors from the get-go, gives both people equal rights, and says that nobody can go off licensing or profiting off that work without the other’s okay.

So if you’ve ever wondered how shared creative credit holds up… surprise! It’s really powerful.

Up next, I’ll be sharing a little mix of hobby history, some sweet memories, and a few heartfelt nods to the special people who made this journey unforgettable. Because behind every model, there’s usually a great story.