Earrings as Art | Copyright & Design Protection

Can Earrings Be Protected by Copyright?

We were told that earrings cannot be protected by copyright. We didn’t believe that, so we decided to look into the matter ourselves. We found that in applied arts, such as tableware, lighting, and jewelry, the threshold for copyright protection has traditionally been quite high. In particular, jewelry has rarely been considered eligible for copyright protection.

The Copyright Threshold and Creative Work in Jewelry

From the very beginning, we believed that Daughter of the North jewelry represents original creative work that exceeds the copyright threshold. That is why we submitted a box of our jewelry to the Finnish Copyright Council for evaluation.

In the statement we recently received, it is clearly stated that “the jewelry reflects the creator’s creative compositional choices in such a way that it qualifies for copyright protection.”

What Does Copyright Protection Mean in Practice?

In practice, this means that these pieces are not regarded merely as handmade earrings, but as independent works of art. We have received feedback from our customers that our jewelry has “strong composition and balance,” a “recognizable design,” and that “these earrings are art.” The Copyright Council agreed!

Design from Finland – A Mark of Finnish Design Excellence

Our jewelry has previously been granted the right to use the Design from Finland mark. It indicates that the product has been professionally and user-orientedly designed in Finland, and that genuine investment has been made in the design process.

The mark communicates Finnish craftsmanship, quality, and responsible design.

Earrings Can Be More Than an Accessory

All of this confirms what we have always believed: a piece of jewelry can be more than an accessory. It can be a small work of art worn on your ear. When you purchase Daughter of the North earrings, you are purchasing jewelry art.