Andy Warhol used cartoon images as have others like Jeff Koons and Peter Blake. Are images of Popeye, Superman and Yogi Bear etc not copyrighted?
2006-09-25 08:59:23 · 8 answers · asked by theseannie 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
They are copy righted, but if you are using them for "educational purposes" and not for commercial purposes, then you can do it. If you use real people, (celebraties such as the president) then you can draw them however you want, as long as you don't draw them exactly like the photograph.
2006-09-25 15:52:18 · answer #1 · answered by Astrid Nannerl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
All of these have both trademark and copyright protections, and in some cases the owners are notorious for policing their rights (i.e., suing or threatening to sue.) For instance, Sufjan Stevens had to recall his album which had a painting with a small Superman in it, and I know someone who wrote a play with featuring an aged Mickey Mouse, being produced at an obscure college production with no publicity, and he still got a call from Disney lawyers and was forced to shelve the production.
2006-09-25 09:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by C_Bar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think things like those are copyright, you're not allowed to reproduce their likeness, even some approximation may be seen as a breach of copyright. Famous artists like Warhol have considerably more sway and power, and were probably commissioned to do such pieces anyway.
It's always best to ask permission from the copyright owner if you intend to put the piece on public display, but behind closed doors and just for your own viewing you can pretty much do anything you like!
2006-09-25 09:11:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do whatever you like!
But if you use Disney characters , and your work is out in the big, bad world - Disney WILL f*uck you!!
They have a bank of lawyers just for this purpose, and they have the money to hunt you down!
A tutor of mine has been on the receiving end of this for the last 12 years!! But they haven't caught up with him yet, as he had been showing the work in a gallery in a country other than the one he lives in, and the gallery refuse to give his home address.
In some ways, if you only own nothing they can take, its nearly worth while for the publicity!!
2006-09-28 00:57:26 · answer #4 · answered by zara c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends what it's used for, 'fan art' and sites such as http://fanart.lionking.org are illegal, but as it creates good publicity for the movie and is such an extensive 'problem' the lawyers tend to ignore it.
If it is for sale (i.e private commission etc), charity or even if it is to be painted on a building then that is illegal. Many people have been prosecuted because of that. If that's what you want to draw this for then you may be best getting written permission or using your own characters.
2006-09-25 09:13:21 · answer #5 · answered by wasanifu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with the copyright holder first. The ones you're talking about have major copyrights, and major lawyers to enforce them! People frequently use them without copyright permission from the owners, and one I know nearly went to jail for it. He had to come up with major money and stop using the art.
2006-09-25 09:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use the characters in painting as long as it is made as a parody. You can't use the images and make copies of them. But the thing you are talking about should be fine.
good luck
2006-09-25 13:27:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. You would need written authorization from their owners to use their images for commercial purposes.
2006-09-25 09:09:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋