Ownership of work

All ceramics, illustrations, prints, graphic design, and visual assets created by Dancing Tomato Studio are the sole intellectual property of Dancing Tomato Studio, unless explicitly transferred in writing through a signed licensing or work-for-hire agreement.

The creation of any work does not transfer ownership to the client until full payment has been received and a written transfer of rights has been executed.

What is prohibited

Without prior written consent from Dancing Tomato Studio, the following are strictly prohibited:

• Reproducing, copying, or tracing any illustration, print, or design — in whole or in part
• Using any work for commercial purposes without a valid license
• Reselling, sublicensing, or redistributing any work to third parties
• Modifying or creating derivative works based on any Dancing Tomato Studio original
• Screenshotting, downloading, or saving images from this website for use outside of personal reference
• Claiming any Dancing Tomato Studio work as your own

Client commissions

When a client commissions work, the scope of use is defined in the project agreement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Dancing Tomato Studio retains the right to display the work in its portfolio
• The client receives a license to use the design for the agreed purpose only
• Exclusive ownership transfers only if explicitly negotiated and reflected in the project fee
• Unauthorized expansion of use beyond the agreed scope requires a new license agreement

Website content

All content on this website — including but not limited to designs, illustrations, text, layout, and visual identity — is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use of any content from this site is a violation of applicable intellectual property laws and may result in legal action.

Mood boards, concepts & early work

Copyright protection applies to all stages of the creative process, not only finished work. This includes:

• Mood boards, color studies, and reference collections assembled for a project
• Initial sketches, rough concepts, and exploratory directions
• Presentation decks and design proposals shared with clients
• Any work-in-progress shared for feedback or approval

These materials are shared in confidence as part of the creative process and may not be used, shared, or reproduced without written permission, regardless of whether the project proceeds to completion.

Social media & public credit

When sharing or publishing work created by Dancing Tomato Studio on social media, websites, or any other public platform, clients are required to credit Dancing Tomato Studio as the designer.

• Tagging @dancingtomatostudio on Instagram or other social platforms
• Including "Illustration/design by Dancing Tomato Studio" in captions or credits
• Linking to dancingtomatostudio.com where appropriate

Payment & file release

For custom commissions and graphic design projects, final files and deliverables are not released until payment has been received in full. Rights to use the work do not transfer until full payment has cleared. In the event of non-payment, Dancing Tomato Studio retains all rights to the work.

Reporting infringement

If you believe your intellectual property rights have been violated, or if you become aware of any unauthorized use of Dancing Tomato Studio's work, please get in touch so we can address it promptly.

Governing law

This policy is governed by the copyright laws of the United States, including the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Dancing Tomato Studio reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies in the event of infringement.