[Woodcarver] Copyrights

[Donna Menke]

Your work is so nice, Steve. I think you have the right idea. Nobody living has designed these animals- but someone may come up with a pose in a photo or painting that is somewhat unique. In that case your giving credit to that artist is just right, after asking permission to use it. I have copied some old masters in oils and I've always signed with my name and added theirs too.

Reminds me of the person who came up with the original kitten hanging on for dear life- and how often that image has been used. Bet nobody has given that person any recognition. Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book


----- Original Message ----

> From: Steve Lankerd Sr <scrimshaw at aptalaska.net>

> To: [Woodcarver] <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>

> Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 11:03:51 AM

> Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Copyrights

> 

> Gentle Subscribers :-) Please support our List with a donation: 

> http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html

> 

> 

> Here is an added twist....

>  

> What about if you see a great picture on a calendar or a 

> greeting card?  I've heard from a master scrimshander that if you change 

> the medium, like art from the two mentioned, to say a carving or ivory scrim, 

> that you are legal.  

>  

> The following is what I was told by one of the country's top 

> scrimshaw artists.....

> "Altering something by 10% (or some figure) is enough to 

> comply with copyright. When we do scrim, we change it 100%. Artists can use 

> anything for a model. If you put the photo on a copier, and try to sell the copy 

> 

> as the original, then you've got  problems. I've been to some of the best 

> art museums in the world, where they allow painters to make painted copies of 

> masterpieces. They just can't sell them as the originals." 

>  

> As a scrimshaw artist and gunstock carver, I am faced with 

> this all the time.  There are times when I see a great 

> looking picture.  And maybe at that time I only want the 

> deer, moose, etc... and then create my own background.  Not all the time 

> but occasionally.  I don't think there is anything wrong with the concept 

> of being inspired by a picture and then changing it.  The one thing I do 

> when I sell a piece of scrim.... I include a card with the information on it 

> that "This scrim was inspired by the Native art from Jack Hudson.  

> Native design by Jack...scrimmed by Steve Lankerd"   

>  

> Any thoughts?

>  

>  

> Best Regards,

>  

> Steve

>  

> Steve Lankerd Sr

> Metlakatla, Alaska

>  

> http://www.stevelankerdstudio.com