How to register for the Artist’s Resale Right

To receive royalties from the resale of your work, you must register with a UK collecting society such as DACS or ACS. Under UK law, individual artists cannot collect Artist's Resale Right (ARR) royalties directly from galleries or auction houses; you are legally required to use a professional body to manage these payments on your behalf.

What is the Artist's Resale Right?

The Artist's Resale Right is a legal entitlement that ensures visual artists receive a small percentage of the sale price whenever their work is resold on the secondary market. This applies to works sold through an "art market professional" (like an auctioneer, gallery, or dealer) for a price of €1,000 or more. It covers a wide range of media, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and limited-edition prints.

Choosing a Collecting Society

In the UK, there are two main organisations that manage ARR. You can only belong to one for the purposes of ARR collection, so you will need to choose which fits your practice best:

• DACS (Design and Artists Copyright Society): The largest and longest-established society in the UK. They represent a vast number of artists and have a high-profile presence in the industry.
• ACS (Artists' Collecting Society): A non-profit trade body that often prides itself on a more personal, "boutique" service. They were set up specifically to provide competition in the market.

Steps to Register

1. Visit the website: Go to the website of your chosen society (dacs.org.uk or acsart.co.uk).
2. Complete the Mandate: Look for the "ARR Registration" or "Join Us" section. You will need to sign a "mandate," which is a legal document giving them the authority to collect royalties in your name.
3. Provide Evidence: You will typically need to provide proof of identity and details of your artistic practice to confirm you are the creator of the works.
4. Submit Bank Details: Ensure they have your current business bank details so they can transfer any royalties they collect for you.

Top Tip: Joining these societies for ARR is usually free. Instead of an upfront fee, they take a percentage (typically around 15%) of the royalties they successfully collect for you to cover their administration costs.

How the process works

Once you are registered, you don't need to do much. The collecting societies actively monitor auction houses and galleries. When a qualifying sale of your work happens, the art market professional is required to report it. The society then invoices the seller, collects the money, and passes it on to you. It is a fantastic way to ensure you benefit from the long-term appreciation of your work as your career grows.

Key Requirements for a Claim

Requirement	Details
Threshold	The sale price must be €1,000 or more (converted to GBP on the day of sale).
Secondary Sale	ARR does not apply to the very first time you sell a piece; it only applies to resales.
Copyright	The work must still be under copyright (usually the artist's lifetime plus 70 years).