Copyright Issues

thetop500

Free Member
Feb 6, 2008
20
1
Hi,

I am considering starting an online shop selling various prints and canvas prints but am unsure on some legalities. I am proficient in Photoshop and plan on using this to do a few things. One of which is creating montages and 'pop art' prints to be framed or displayed on canvas. I know there are quite a few shops out there already that do this with pictures of celebrities and am unsure on how they are able to do this on the assumption they did not take the original picture. I was always under the impression that would could not make any financial gain from a picture that you did not take.....

Any insight into the complex world of copyright law would be most appreciated,

Many Thanks
 

obscure

Free Member
Jan 18, 2008
3,370
879
The world
...I know there are quite a few shops out there already that do this with pictures of celebrities and am unsure on how they are able to do this on the assumption they did not take the original picture.
They most likely....
1. Are doing something illegal by using images without permission, or
2. They licensed the image from the copyright holder in order to use it for the prints/pictures.
 
Upvote 0
C

Calibre Designs

Using images, text, artwork or designs etc that does not belong to you without permission is against the law. Copyright is automatically granted to the originator of that piece of work.

If you can find out who the originator is and contact them to initiate a discussion then you will either be allowed to use it (may have to give back some sort of royalty fee or they will say no to you).

All the best.

Kay
 
Upvote 0
Hi,

I am considering starting an online shop selling various prints and canvas prints but am unsure on some legalities. I am proficient in Photoshop and plan on using this to do a few things. One of which is creating montages and 'pop art' prints to be framed or displayed on canvas. I know there are quite a few shops out there already that do this with pictures of celebrities and am unsure on how they are able to do this on the assumption they did not take the original picture. I was always under the impression that would could not make any financial gain from a picture that you did not take.....

Any insight into the complex world of copyright law would be most appreciated,

Many Thanks

You need to get a license to use the images. Search google for "celebrity stock photos" and you will find several web sites that sell them.
 
Upvote 0

Eagle

Free Member
Oct 3, 2004
5,235
587
UK
Producing 'pop art' using existing material is classified as 'derivative work' and doing so, without due permission/licence from the copyright owner is illegal. I get sick of all those ones on eBay who are deliberately flouting the law yet eBay does nothing.

Be bigger than them and get licenced! :)
 
Upvote 0

Lasting Designs

Free Member
Aug 10, 2007
926
91
61
Isle of Wight
Producing 'pop art' using existing material is classified as 'derivative work' and doing so, without due permission/licence from the copyright owner is illegal. I get sick of all those ones on eBay who are deliberately flouting the law yet eBay does nothing.

Be bigger than them and get licenced! :)

What he said, plus by getting licenced you can say so, thus becoming somehow official if you see what I mean.
 
Upvote 0

Latest Articles