creatorowned

Creatorowned refers to a property or work in which the creator or creators retain ownership of the intellectual property (IP). Rights to characters, worlds, and story are held by the creator(s), while production or exploitation may be handled by a publisher, studio, or other partner through licensing. This contrasts with work-for-hire or assignment models, where the company or client owns the IP.

Common in comics, independent games, music, and software, creator-owned models let creators maintain IP rights while collaborators handle production and distribution under negotiated licenses. In comics, publishers may fund and distribute while creators keep IP, as with imprint arrangements at Image Comics or through self-publishing. Licenses for print, digital media, film, and merchandise are granted on terms negotiated in contracts, with royalties typically paid on net receipts and sometimes with upfront advances.

Advantages include creative control, potential for long-term revenue from licensing or media deals, and the ability to shape a property across multiple platforms. Creator-owned works can also increase an individual’s or a team's bargaining power in future negotiations.

Challenges include financial risk and upfront costs, need for marketing and distribution, dependence on partners for reach, and contract complexity. Protecting IP and resolving disputes among multiple creators require clear agreements and legal counsel.

Notable creator-owned works include Saga (Image Comics) by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples; The Walking Dead (Image Comics) by Robert Kirkman; and Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics) by the Hernandez brothers.