Benefits and Weaknesses of Tattoo Design Copyrights

Recently, Mike Tyson's tattoo design has made the news, as the artist that created the design on Mike Tyson's face is suing the makers of "The Hangover" for copyright infringement, as the tattoo that he himself created was featured in the movie without his permission.
This brings an interesting question to the table - should tattoo artists be allowed to keep their copyrights when it comes to their designs? There are a number of different benefits and weaknesses to allowing tattoo copyrights.
Benefits

• Original Art - Perhaps the greatest benefit of tattoo design copyright is that the best tattoo artists will be compensated for their skills, while other artists will be encouraged to turn their craft into an art form. Right now it is too easy for these artists to simply copy other people's work without enhancing the craft.
• Personal Originality - There is something nice knowing that you are the only one that has a tattoo design. Or, at the very least, you share it only with people that know the artist. It allows you to wear a piece of real, valuable art.
• Tracing the Originator - Tattoo designs should have enough of a unique flavor to them that they can be traced back to the original artist. If people are constantly copying other people's work, that factor is lost.

Weaknesses

• Copyright of Copyright - Many tattoo designs already use copyrighted characters and/or similar styles (skulls, hearts, etc.). Adding tattoo copyright law could make it very difficult to figure out the legality of these designs.
• Permanent Victim - When someone chooses to get a tattoo, they need to be able to enjoy it. Issues with copyright could hurt the person's love of their design, possibly giving them a permanent reminder of the artist's theft, especially if they need to become part of the case in a court battle.
• Unserious Nature - Right now, tattoo designs are generally simply something for people to enjoy. Once copyright law comes in, they become something far more complicated, possibly ruining artists or causing people to avoid designs. If someone copyrighted a tear drop tattoo or a heart with the word "Mom" on it, the way tattoos are created will be forever changed.

Tattoo designs are some of the most beloved art forms in the world. Once tattoo copyright starts to affect them that love could easily fade. At the same time, the laws would be more respectful to the artist.