Comic books, strips, etc. This is the second installment of a multipart article directed toward the aspiring cartoonists among you. The information in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Every cartoonist needs to know quite a bit of law.
Simply put, you are not in the business of selling cartoons. Rather, you are in the business of selling the legal right to use your cartoons. Not knowing how to protect your rights will lower your income. Nondisclosure agreements and confidentiality provisions are my pet peeve. While NDAs may serve a useful role among engineers or in high finance, companies rarely divulge big secrets to freelance cartoonists.