Copyright issues with artwork

[Bama_C]

Does anyone have an idea where to go to find out if it is legal to draw and sell Disney buildings or places without Disney's permission (I am fairly certain it isn't legal to draw characters for sale, but what about buildings?) I am doing a series of EPCOT vignettes that I would like to make available for purchase. If you're curious, you can view the first one here EPCOT Canada (http://www.charmandgrace.com/CAGBlog/EPSketch.jpg). Any help would be most appreciated.

pixiedust:

[disneyfinatics]

I wish I knew the answer. I just had to post and say WOW!!! Those are beautiful!!

[Bama_C]

Thank you so much. I love Disney World, especially EPCOT, so these are a lot of fun for me to do. I have looked everywhere I can think of on the web, and I haven't found anything that says I can't sell them. My husband even called Disney, but after being transferred a few times didn't get anywhere (they sent him to The Art of Disney at DTD :rotfl2: ... of course, the people working there had no clue.) But I would really like to find out for sure.

Thanks again! :goodvibes

[java]

Try calling investor relations. They will be able to at least direct you to the LEGAL department to find out about copyright infringement issues.

But I also had to add they are beautiful!

[Bama_C]

Try calling investor relations. They will be able to at least direct you to the LEGAL department to find out about copyright infringement issues.

But I also had to add they are beautiful!

Thank you, Java, for your advice and kind comments. :goodvibes I will try that route, and see if I get anywhere. Have a great day! :thumbsup2

[Bama_C]

I still have no answers, as I never could actually get a PERSON on the phone, but I haven't given up trying. I may have to just resort to writing a letter of inquiry. The second one is now finished...

http://www.charmandgrace.com/CAGBlog/EPCOT-UKsm1.jpg

[Telynn]

How beautiful your prints are! I hope you hear soon.

[Bama_C]

How beautiful your prints are! I hope you hear soon.


Thanks so much for your kind words. When I finally got through to the legal dept. there was a recording giving all sorts of information and asking to submit in writing any questions about copyrights. Talk about complicated! In my affection for all things Disney, sometimes I forget they're a multi-gazillion dollar company... red tape and all. ;) Oh well, I can't help drawing the thing I love... :love:

pixiedust:

[TravelinGal]

I don't know anything about the copywrite issues either - just posting to say WOW as well!

BEAUTIFUL artwork! :worship:

[TeresaNJ]

I also would like to add that I think your sketches are beautiful!!!:)

[Bama_C]

TravelinGal and TeresaNJ... I really appreciate your sweet comments! pixiedust: Thanks so much!!

[susanmbankston]

From a fellow Alabamian, beautiful pictures.

[Bama_C]

From a fellow Alabamian, beautiful pictures.

Wow... thanks so much and nice to meet you!! pixiedust:

[Bama_C]

New one... Norway. Don't know if I will actually do any more until I hear back from Disney...

http://www.charmandgrace.com/CAGBlog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/epcot-norwaysm.jpg

[CGBee]

I too wanted to just post to say WOW, wonderful pictures! Are you drawing these from photos you took on your trip, or from memory? I'm also enjoying reliving our last trip through your drawings...you have a very special talent!

:thumbsup2

[Bama_C]

I too wanted to just post to say WOW, wonderful pictures! Are you drawing these from photos you took on your trip, or from memory? I'm also enjoying reliving our last trip through your drawings...you have a very special talent!

:thumbsup2

Thanks so much. I am drawing them from photos I have taken, as well as from some others I have found on the web. I appreciate your kind comments! pixiedust:

[Bama_C]

My newest sketch is of Morocco...

FYI... I now have a blog devoted strictly to my Disney sketches at http://mydisneysketches.blogspot.com where you will be able to view all my Disney-related sketches.

http://www.charmandgrace.com/christibunn/EPCOT-Morocco.jpg

[SalandJeff]

These are absolutely beautiful. You are very talented! Hoping you are moving to Magic Kingdom next ;)

I've bookmarked your website.

Do you have an attorney of your own you could ask? I would think the same laws would apply whether you are sketching a building at Disney, the Empire State Building, or any other building.

[Bama_C]

Wow... thanks so much. What a great idea to ask our attorney; I will do that. We just recently got one to do wills for us, so maybe he is familiar with copyright laws, too.

I imagine that I will end up doing things around the whole of WDW before it's overwith. I just love it so much I can't help it... and can't wait to be back there in Sept. I am planning to try to get some more good photos to draw from.:woohoo:

Your sweetie pea princess: in the photo in your sig. eating the Mickey Ear ice cream is a doll!!

Thanks for posting! pixiedust:

[SalandJeff]

Your sweetie pea princess: in the photo in your sig. eating the Mickey Ear ice cream is a doll!!

Thanks so much. That was her first mickey bar on her first trip. I am training her to have her mother's disney addiction :goodvibes

[mytwotinks]

Those are beautiful! I want them! I can't wait to here what you find out about selling them.

[Bama_C]

Those are beautiful! I want them! I can't wait to here what you find out about selling them.

What gorgeous ballerinas you have! My 11 y-o DD has just finished summer ballet, and this year will be her 6th year of ballet. She just loves it, and it has really helped with her grace and poise. I am not convinced she'll ever really have much longevity with it because we are just not born with the body type for it... way too many curves. But, anyway I do think it is such a beautiful art form. Love your photos.

I really appreciate your kind words. I have actually finally contacted the correct department at Disney in writing... they prefer e-mail and want specific details about what it is you are inquiring about. They have several different sets of addresses for the different copyright issues... i.e. characters, music, videos, etc. So, I am waiting to hear back, and they said it would be 4 to 6 weeks. (Just in time for my next trip to Disney World... LOL!)

Thanks again for the comments!

pixiedust:

[dburg30]

I know some people wont like this answer, but IMO, advertise and sell them. IF disney decides you are worth chasing (dont read into the word 'worth' too much, remember, as you said disney is a bazillion $ business), then you will have your answer :).

I know, I know, it's not the 'right' way to do it, but sometimes, it's easier to ask forgiveness then permission.. I'm married, I know how that works..


Also, great drawings...

[Bama_C]

I got a letter in the mail from Disney just a few days ago, and I have to say that it was rather ambiguous. There was no "you may not draw and sell these buildings" in it. It did say that "use of the characters without prior authorization from us would infringe our intellectual property rights in those characters," which I assumed beforehand.

Thanks to all of you for your terrific encouragement. pixiedust:

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we're curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” - Walt Disney

[TravelinGal]

Well, that sounds like you have permission then since you have no characters in your beautiful artwork!!! You go girl!! :banana:

[Bama_C]

LOL... I would not go so far as to say that they gave permission, but rather that they did not say "no." :)

[toocherie]

One word of caution--just as you wouldn't go to a stomach doctor (gastroenterologist) for a nasal problem, a trusts and wills attorney probably won't know too much about copyright--especially about copyright issues with one of the biggest companies in the world. (I'm a real estate attorney and no way would I feel qualified or even attempt to give you copyright and trademark advice!)

But your drawings are beautiful! If I was Disney I would commission you!

[Bama_C]

Thanks so much for the advice, and I will take that under advisement. I also have a friend who works in coypright law, so I may try and get her take on it. You are right about dealing with a monstrosity of a corporation. I can't tell you the hoops I had to jump through to actually get communication from them.

Thanks for the compliment about the artwork, too. I have begun working on EPCOT France, (which due to school being back in session and planning for our WDW trip in 16 days, is going rather slowly.) :)

pixiedust:

[LadyShea]

I was wondering if you got any updates on the copyright issue, and also wanted to tell you how talented I think you are. Those sketches are amazing.

If you bring them to the Shrimp Fest I may be tempted to buy one ;)

[poohbear8]

Your sketches are wonderful. You could always sell them on Ebay. If Disney had a problem with it, you would know...they would pull your auction.

Good Luck finding a solid answer.

[Moeluv4u7]

hristi,

I think you are very talented and although Disney may have copyright to "their" images & characters They don't have copyright to yours- They can't stop you from your talent! Unless you sold them posing as a "Licensed Disney Artist" - IMO you should have carte blanche- WTG btw! They are gorgeous- What wonderful gifts they would make also!
But on the legal note- I would do some copyright searches in general to really read what constitutes the rights you have, against the images you are drawing and the fact that the designs themselves are probably copyright by Disney Designers, archtitechts (sp), planners, Imagineers, etc- Just so you have some type of info on it- I do know that archtitechts do have designs copyright-ed so no one can design the same w/o their permission- etc

[Bama_C]

Greetings from the heart of Walt Disney World. We have been here for five days, and we have five more to go. It always flies by! We are having a great time and have been with my mother who experienced it for the first time with us this year! She left this morning on the Magical Express, and I was so sad to see her go.

Just wanted to post a quick note to tell you all how much I appreciate your kind comments. I have had communication from Disney regarding Licensing which I am pursuing now. So I will know more later. In the meantime, if you have any other questions please send an email to bamac86(at)charter.net.

pixiedust: