MORAL RIGHTS IN TATTOOS: REASSESSING THE CREATOR–SUBJECT DICHOTOMY IN COPYRIGHT LAW

AUTHOR –SHAKTI GARG, UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

BEST CITATION – SHAKTI GARG, MORAL RIGHTS IN TATTOOS: REASSESSING THE CREATOR–SUBJECT DICHOTOMY IN COPYRIGHT LAW, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (10) OF 2025, PG. 842-844, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of copyright law and body art by examining the legal status of moral rights in tattoos. Who owns the moral rights to a tattoo: the tattooist or the tattooed? This dilemma situates itself at the confluence of originality, creativity, authorship, and the material medium of expression. With evolving jurisprudence in intellectual property law, particularly in artistic works, this article analyses statutory provisions, domestic and international case laws, and scholarly commentary to dissect and address the rightful claimant of moral rights in tattoos.