As the only body to represent illustrators and campaign for their rights in the UK, the AOI has successfully increased the standing of illustration as a profession and improved the commercial and ethical conditions of employment for illustrators. The AOI is a member of the Creators Rights Alliance (CRA). It helped to establish the secondary rights arm of the Designers and Artists Copyright Society, (DACS), the UK visual arts collecting society.
Responsible for establishing the rights of illustrators to retain ownership of their artwork, the AOI aims to expose and resist rights abuses and exploitative practices within the industry whenever they occur. On behalf of its members, and with their continued support, the AOI can attempt things that it would be difficult or impossible individually. As part of the CRA, for example, the AOI is able to lobby parliament for changes in UK law, aligning it more closely with those of our European neighbours, widely seen as more creator friendly. We are also commissioning further research into the extent of creators rights abuses, with a view to challenging the DCMS, and examining the shortcomings of the new communications bill from a creator's perspective. Currently AOI is working on producing a code of conduct for members' agents to promote good practice within the illustration industry.
Website: http://www.theaoi.com
Date Submitted: 15-Oct-2007
Last Updated: 1-Dec-2008