I stumbled upon a print of a painting selling online (sold by the artist thru a third party site) which I really love. I’m creative, so rather than buy the small and expensive print, I thought it would be fun for me to paint my own version of it. What are the ethics/copyright issues of this?... [more inside]
posted on Jun 22, 2008 - 19 answers

If I buy an original piece of artwork, from the artist, without a written contract, who owns the copyright? [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 13 answers

I need to make a simple contract in which I photograph something and the resulting images end up in the public domain. [more inside]
posted on Nov 7, 2007 - 9 answers

I am an artist with an hell of demons in my past, who wants to start a website for my work without any of said demons tracking me down via google. So... I would like to start using a professional pseudonym, without changing my real name legally. How simple/complicated is this, and how do I go about it? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 14 answers

An artist friend of mine was surprised to see his artwork used without permission on a flier for a band. He had posted the artwork on his website. What can/should he do to stop the misuse? I know that he automatically holds a copyright on the work as its creator. (I have advised him to post watermarked versions of his work in the future to prevent future misuse.)
posted on May 26, 2007 - 13 answers

Where can I find copyright/royalty-free botanical engravings? I'm looking more images like those on the last page of The Grammar of Ornament. Printed catalogues, modern (copyright/royalty-free) books, or antique books that I can scan are fine (I have access to one of the UK's desposit libraries). Online sources would ideally be at a high-resolution suitable for printing, but if they're lo-res, I'd still love to take a look. Like I say, I'm particularly interested in botanical images, but sources of anything decorative and ca. 19th century are very welcome. Sadly, I can't use advertising, text or images of people.
posted on Oct 18, 2006 - 9 answers

Where can I find a large database of photgraphs like this that are in the public domain? I'm also looking for a large site with pictures from World War I that are free to use. [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2006 - 9 answers

I post photos of my dogs onto my personal website. I just found someone on Ebay selling prints and t-shirts using a photo of one of my dogs. [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2006 - 38 answers

Copyright issue in derivative product / art ?? [more inside]
posted on Sep 15, 2005 - 10 answers

LegalFilter: after reading an editorial I'm trying to decided if I should be outraged over parts of the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 or not. [more inside]
posted on May 4, 2005 - 13 answers

Is it legal for an artist to paint/draw a product (ex: iPod) as part of an artwork and sell it? Are there laws/precedents regarding this? Thanks.
posted on Aug 5, 2004 - 11 answers

So, last night I showed art in public for the very first time since showing some photoshop prints in 1997, and sold a painting. [Kinda crazy feeling, like i'm selling a child.] So i'm wondering, do i need a written contract to retain rights to the work? And what other cautions or words of advice as I prepare to sell some others?
posted on Apr 16, 2004 - 8 answers

If you own an original piece of art, for intstance a painting, do you own its copyright and reproduction rights?
posted on Apr 8, 2004 - 23 answers