ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Global Efforts to Secure Artist Royalties in Secondary Art Sales

market-auction · 2026-03-19

Artists worldwide are advocating for stronger intellectual property protections to receive fair compensation from secondary sales of their works. The 1886 Berne Convention set international copyright standards but did not mandate royalties, leading to varied national laws. In France, initiatives have emerged to address economic challenges faced by artists and their heirs, focusing on resale proceeds that often benefit collectors or galleries without artist shares.

Key facts

  • The 1886 Berne Convention established international copyright but lacks royalty provisions.
  • Secondary sales of art, such as auctions, typically do not guarantee payments to artists.
  • France has implemented measures to support artists' financial rights in resale contexts.

Entities

Institutions

  • Christie's Auction Rooms

Locations

  • France

Sources