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Another Copyright Question

When Does a Copyright Attach to a Document?

If I decoupaged pictures of an artist's prints from one of their old catalogs onto a wood box to sell, would that be a copyright infringement?

When looking for pictures of art from books, catalogs, magazines...how do I know what ones I can use and what ones I can't?

Especially when sometimes there is no artist information on a picture.

Thanks!

Norma

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I am not a copyright attorney. You can check Copyright.gov for official information.

My understanding is that copyrights usually attach automatically. The author need not actually register his or her copyright, so most pictures in magazines and books would have copyright protection.

Anything produced before 1923 is in the public domain, with a few exceptions. This includes all the grand masters.

If you can’t determine the artist whose work you want to use, you could always take a chance and use the picture. Most publications and authors would likely ask that you stop using it or that you obtain a license, before they would take legal action.

If you can identify the artist and he’s not someone famous, you can ask and will probably be given permission to use old catalog prints.

There are many sites on the internet where you can download free or almost free artwork that are specifically copyright free.

Also anything produced by any branch of the US (not necessarily state) government are in the public domain, so the spectacular space photos on the NASA site are free to use.

To be absolutely safe consult a copyright attorney for specific advice.

See A Copyright Question for more on this subject.

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