<![CDATA[Technology has transformed the process of creating visual art from conventional methods to digital imagery, one example being the tracing technique, a method of copying reference images or photographs to accelerate the learning process of anatomy, proportions, and the shapes of objects. Although beneficial as a means of practicing motor and visual skills, the tracing technique is often misused for commercial purposes without the original creator’s permission or claimed as an original work, thereby blurring the line between tracing as a legitimate learning activity and tracing as a copyright infringement, especially given the fair use doctrine, which allows for the use of creative works without the creator’s consent. This study aims to analyze the legal boundaries between tracing images as a copyright infringement and as a transformative work under Law No. 28 of 2014 on Copyright. This study using normative legal methodology with a legislative and conceptual approach examines copyright law provisions as well as the doctrines of fair use and transformative works. The results of the study indicate that tracing can be categorized as a transformative work as long as it is done for personal use, learning, or technical exploration without commercial intent and without a claim to originality; however, it constitutes a copyright infringement if it is commercialized, modified without permission, or presented as one’s own work without citing the source. It is hoped that these findings will become a guideline for digital artists in utilizing the tracing technique responsibly without infringing on the copyrights of others.]]>
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