It feels like people are conflating a universal license and copyright. Those things are *very* different, and it's not a small or trivial distinction.

It’s really really not the industry standard.

Requiring full copyright and original copies of the art is totally unnecessary for 99% of art commissions.

Yep haha

Yeah it's really bad because all he needs to do is contact the artists and talk to them about licensing and EVERYONE is saying 'bro you need to own the art' and it's like... No. No you do not.

and in the UK before you've worked somewhere for at least 2 years.

It's complete ignorance. They don't understand how licensing works, and are terrified they'll get sued or something. That or they don't want the hassle of renegotiating licences for re-prints - but buddy that's the job!

Anyone who is buying your art for use in their game is paying for two things. 1) your time, labour, and expertise for creating the image. 2) a license to reproduce your artwork in their product and promotional material.

They do not, under any circumstances, *NEED* to own the copyright.

I think it’s different if you’re working for a company versus if you’re working as a freelancer.