Code of non-infringement

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

For other meanings of "Code" or "The Code", see Code (disambiguation).

The Code of Non-Infringement (or "The Code") refers to the accepted business practice and custom among certain performance artists, particularly clowns, that an artist's unique performance attributes are proprietary and cannot be used or claimed by another. Among clowns, these attributes may include stage names, costume elements, facial designs, as well as a clown's specific jokes or "gags" and "bits".

According to the code, no two performers may have exactly the same face or costume. Clown performers believe that the code is independent of any protection that may be afforded by the law, particularly intellectual property law.^{[citation needed]}