Basic Concepts

EXP0 is built on a simple and legally robust architecture that clearly distinguishes material ownership of the medium, the authenticity of the work (NFT), and the usage rights (license) that govern its exploitation.

This model falls within the framework of French intellectual property law, one of the most protective in the world, and remains fully compatible with international standards as well as professional practices (Getty, AP, AFP, Magnum).

The work (or creation)

The work refers to the original creation produced by the artist: photograph, video, illustration, digital artwork, etc.
It is automatically protected by copyright from its creation, without formalities.

On EXP0, the work exists in two forms:
- Digital work: HD file, RAW, TIFF, JPEG, video.
- Physical work: fine art print, print, limited series.

The work itself is never “sold” in the strict legal sense:
it is its medium and usage rights that are transferred.

The author (or artist)

The author is the natural person who creates the work.

On EXP0, the author always retains:
- authorship of their work,
- their moral rights,
- control over the license granted to the buyer,
- the ability to set the price and type of licenses sold.

Even an artist based outside France automatically benefits from the protection of French law when selling on EXP0.

The medium (digital or physical)

The medium is what the buyer receives:
- a downloadable digital file (HD, RAW, TIFF…),
- and a fine art physical print.

The medium belongs to the client, but the work itself remains protected by copyright.

Copyright

Moral rights

Moral rights protect the personal link between the author and their work.

They include notably:
- The right to attribution: the artist remains the author, even in case of exclusive sale.
- The right to integrity: the work cannot be modified in a distorting, defamatory, or misleading way.

In France and many continental European countries, these rights are:
- inalienable (the artist cannot sell them),
- imprescriptible,
- perpetual.

In other countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom), they may be more limited or waivable.
On EXP0, no waiver is imposed: the applied framework is that of French law.

Economic rights of a work

Economic rights — also called patrimonial rights — are the economic rights the author holds over their work. They allow the author to control and authorize the conditions under which their work may be reproduced, represented, distributed, adapted, or commercialized.

License

The license is the contract that governs the exploitation rights of the Work, meaning what the buyer can do — or cannot do — with the work.

Personal use

Strictly private use, without public distribution.

Includes:
- display on your personal devices,
- private storage,
- digital collection,
- decorative use in a private setting.

Does not include:
- online publication,
- sharing on social networks,
- use in a professional or public context.

Public / professional use

Any use involving distribution or communication to an audience or third party.

Includes:
- press and media,
- web publication, social networks, newsletters,
- advertising, marketing, corporate communication,
- print display, TV, video, public presentation,
- packaging, branding, signage,
- internal distribution in companies or institutions.

Modification / adaptation

Modification or adaptation refers to any transformation, alteration, or derivative creation from the original work, including:
- cropping, retouching, editing, changing color or format,
- integration into a graphic or video composition,
- creation of a derivative work.

On EXP0, these uses are only authorized when the chosen license explicitly permits them.

Even when modification is authorized, it remains governed: it must not infringe upon the author’s moral rights, particularly the integrity of the work.

Exclusivity

Exclusivity refers to the situation in which only the buyer possesses the exploitation rights defined in the license.

Attribution

Attribution is the obligation to mention the author’s name when the work is used publicly.

When attribution is required, it must be visible, reasonable, and clearly associated with the work.

Duration

Duration refers to the period during which the exploitation license is valid.

Territory

Territory refers to the geographic area in which the license is valid.