Hey all, my friend and I have been selling T-Shirts that we designed, but my passion would really be to incorporate photographed ancient art into my designs.
What are the legal issues of me photographing ancient sculptures and masks from museums, from unknown artists hundreds and thousands of years ago, doing some photoshopping on them, and then selling the changed graphic on T-Shirts? The shirt would have many other custom made graphics elsewhere and added to the original image, though I'm guessing that doesn't matter.
My sales allow a signficant donation to a charity of the buyer's choice.
Thank you very much in advance for any help....I'd heard of this site before but finally registered to ask this question.
Last edited by Strange Dream; June 14th, 2007 at 07:42 PM.
This is a tough one and I actually was reading an article recently about Corel (not exactly sure) or some clipart collection company in litigation with a museum in Europe over the rights to high resolution photos of classic art & sculptures. Currently I believe it is ok yet the Museum is trying to get the rights to these images as they use the funds form the sales of the images to upkeep the museum. Something along those lines.
It might be best to check with a copyright lawyer just in case
Will try yo find the article to post
Thanks Fluid, your advice is greatly appreciated. Would love to see the article if you can find it. I'm already giving some profits to charities so it's not a moral issue for me, though I wouldn't mind giving a small (~10) percent back to the museums as they've given so much to me through the years. I am very worried about some lawyer coming out of nowhere and ruining my business, would rather figure it out in advance.
Since you're photographing the sculptures yourself you should be fine. Read up on Bridgeman vs. Corel... very interesting, and potentially very relevant to what you're doing (it applies strictly to 2D art, but in a sense it sets out what is and isn't copyrightable when it comes to old (public domain) art).
Since you're photographing the sculptures yourself you should be fine. Read up on Bridgeman vs. Corel... very interesting, and potentially very relevant to what you're doing (it applies strictly to 2D art, but in a sense it sets out what is and isn't copyrightable when it comes to old (public domain) art).
Thanks Solmu, that court decision makes me a lot more comfortable, I think it applies to what I'm doing as well.
I thought a lot of the museums strictly guard their property. That is usually why you can't take pictures, but can buy the book for lots of money. I could be wrong.
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Most Museums and Art Galleries do not allow photography of their exhibits.
Bill M
Most of the pictures I want to use I took at the Met in NYC already (where I live). Luckily they don't care about the vast majority of photographs, as long as you don't use a flash. A small percent is not allowed to be photographed. I'm more worried about someone wearing one of my shirts in front of a museum curator or something if I'm not supposed to be doing it.
Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.
I am extremely interested in your "charity of choice" concept. Could you extrapulate?
Ryan
Hi Ryan. After checkout, at the order confirmation/approval page the customer gets to choose one of four charities (that I chose) that I donate to - I wanted it to be $1 a shirt but that is too much for me so it is $.50 per shirt for now.
I feel good about it and hopefully the customers do too. I'm hoping it won't even cost me any extra business through benefits in loyalty and community.
Hi Ryan. After checkout, at the order confirmation/approval page the customer gets to choose one of four charities (that I chose) that I donate to - I wanted it to be $1 a shirt but that is too much for me so it is $.50 per shirt for now.
I feel good about it and hopefully the customers do too. I'm hoping it won't even cost me any extra business through benefits in loyalty and community.
I saw a service like this online that automated this kind of thing. I wish I could remember the name.
Museum Photograph Copyright Issues? 
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