How to calculate your royalties: discover the online tool Calkulator

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In my 10-year career in illustration and graphic design, I have often had to juggle this thorny issue: how to calculate my royalties accurately. At first, I only charged a flat rate, without worrying about these royalties. But one day, a large insurance company asked me to mention them explicitly on my invoice. That was the turning point.

Design is a demanding profession that requires solid technical and artistic training. Our expertise allows us to analyze needs, advise our clients, and create added value in all sectors. And this expertise deserves to be fairly compensated.

Let’s take a concrete example: last year, I created an illustration for a digital campaign. The client initially wanted to use it only on their website. A few months later, they contacted me again to extend its use to their social media and print media. Without a good understanding of copyright, I could have significantly undervalued my work.

That’s when I discovered Calkulator, a tool developed in cooperation with Alliance France Design (AFD) and recognized by the Ministry of Culture. This double validation immediately reassured me of its reliability. Here’s why I particularly appreciate it:

• It is based on current market data

• It helps establish a basis for calculation (following the official recommendations of the AFD and the Ministry of Culture)

• It is easy to use and covers several areas of design.

Whether for commercial or editorial projects, Calkulator now helps me with most of my estimates of exploitation rights. In fact, I am continuing to explore the subject, particularly through the book “Copyright and Intellectual Property in the Digital Age,” which I have just purchased.

By the way, did you know that the oldest known Latin inscription is a copyright? A 2,700-year-old gold fibula, kept at the National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography in Rome, bears the name of its creator, engraved in mirror characters. The protection of creation is therefore not a new concern!