When commissioning artwork, copyright automatically stays with the artist unless explicitly transferred in writing. The commissioner gets to own the physical work but not the copyright unless agreed. Moral rights also apply — the artist's right to be credited and to object to derogatory treatment.

• Copyright stays with artist by default — must be assigned in writing to transfer
• Commissioner owns the physical artwork — not the copyright
• Moral rights: artist's right to be identified and object to derogatory treatment
• Digital art: copyright applies just as to physical works
• NFT minting of commissioned work requires separate licence

Legal reference: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 ss.9,11,77-89