What is, and isnt legal?

[chechi]

I am an artist, say I do a picture of a famous person. Can I legally sell it. Or is it illegal to sell art that somebody owns the rights to the likeness? I want to get it clear before I even start the picture. Thanks

 

[LongCoolMother]

you should ask your social science teacher

 

[chechi]

what the hell does that mean?

 

[UberNeuman]

Ask Andy Warhol...

 

[littlezipp]

If you are asking if you can try to duplicate a painting, then no. If you want to make a painting from a picture, then that is ok.

 

[chechi]

Yes, I would be making it from a photograph.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I know that a photograph is the property of the photographer and not the subject. So if you were using a camera I know that you would be legally alright. I think that you are legally OK.

ZV

EDIT: If you copy the photograph, then I think you need permission. If you are painting the person and using the picture as a referrence and are not dublicating it, I'm pretty sure that you are OK.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

<< Ask Andy Warhol... >>



nik

 

[kranky]

A couple months ago I saw a story about an artist who lost a case on this very topic. Gary Saderup had done some T-shirts featuring the Three Stooges, got sued for using their likeness without permission, and lost.

That was under California law, and it has a loophole for "single and original works of art".