Public domain
 

I had no idea where to post this question, and can't believe it hasn't been addressed, but I found nothing in the search mode.

I am curious about the issue of "public domain" and the master's old paintings. An example would be - there must be a Plastic Surgery group in every city with DiVinci's sketch of man in the circle used in their logo.

I am developing a logo and would like to use a value sketch from a painting by Lejeune painted in 1869. Is this legal?

Beth
 

A logo in America done of a work 140 years old - even altered from the original is probably fine. Americans can't keep huge businesses from copying videos overseas today. You could change it enough to call it your own and you'd surely be fine.

I always liked Tim Chambers logo, which I believe he drew himself: http://timothychambers.com

Ask a laywer
 

What other artists think is beside the point. You need to get a bona fide legal opinion.

If a lawer who represents himself has a fool for a client, what could be said about an artist asking another artist for legal advice?

By the way, even if a painting is in the public domain, whoever took the photo owns the copyright for the image in the photo. How nuts is that?

Thanks all, I do know we have some good attorneys here, so hopefully they will know.

I think in addition to the photo copyright, things could vary based on who owns the collection.

But as Tim advised it is changed enough that I doubt it will be recognized.

Darn, Marvin - I thought we artists knew everything! :)

I'm not an attorney (ask Linda Brandon) and I don't even play one on TV, but I have researched copyright issues extensively.

If there is even the slightest chance that the image is copyrighted, you shouldn't use it, even if you modify it substantially. Check out the copyright threads to see what risks you're running.

Besides all of the above, don't you think it would be more relevant if the value-study was from your own hand?