Can I paint WDW and then sell it?

[Disneyrsh]

Thanks!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Bump! Anybody know? Help!

 

[bicker]

The image of certain buildings are indeed legally protected. The most notorious case is the Flatiron Building in Manhatten -- the owners are meticulous about agressively searching for violations and defending their rights without fail. I'm not sure but I suspect that most of the most recognizeable Disney buildings are also similarly protected.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Bummer.

 

[SandrA9810]

That would be completly awesome... I would buy one in a heartbeat if they didn't cost thousands like the ones there cost.
I can't wait, when I have my own house, I want murals of disney painted on my walls. I just can't draw big things... I'm too into details and make things really small.

 

[~Kathie]

I found 2 numbers for Disney Legal Department. Not sure if either of them will work but worth a try.

The Corporate Legal Department
(818) 560-1301

For the Disney Legal Department, call (407) 828-1750.

The 818..is most likely California
The 407 is Florida.

Good luck.

 

[bicker]

For folks interested, here's a link to a message which gives you some idea about Disney legal's position on homegrown Disney art:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.arts.disney.parks/msg/9c7aabe963c3471e?hl=en&

 

[Disneyrsh]

I don't know why this didn't occur to me until this weekend.

We were at a family dinner (my husband's side) and I found myself sitting across from a patent attorney (FIL) international law attorney (BIL) and entertainment lawyer (SIL). So I asked them! (Hubby is black sheep of family, he's computer science)

They all agreed that if I took the picture of anything in Disneyworld and then painted it, it's my interpretation and not subject to copyright infringement by Disney.

So their universal opinion: Go ahead and paint! Yippee!

 

[bicker]

The scary part is that past history indicates Disney's lawyers tend to disagree, and they've probably got a lot more money to prosecute their perspective that we do.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

JMO, but I would get more advice. Disney hasn't been shy in the past about having their lawyers send cease & desist letters.

Try asking the question on these boards.

I doubt Disney would do anything if you were to do the work for your own enjoyment or to give as gifts to friends and family -- they probably wouldn't even find out -- but if you start selling (especially on eBay, with Disney Auctions doing so much business through them) you may run into some trouble.

 

[Towncrier]

All (or nearly all) of the buildings and facades at Disney theme parks are copyrighted and/or trademarked. That is how Disney defends their position regarding use of images photographed or otherwise reproduced. I heard this from the folks at The Unofficial Guide who, for many years, could not include ANY facsimiles of Disney buildings in their book. That is, until the got official permission from Disney's legal department. If you have an old copy of The Unofficial Guide, you will notice a lot of cartoons that make reference to the actual attractions, but not a single solitary image.

Then again, people get away with selling DVDs that contain moving images of Disney attractions on Ebay, so I suppose it's up to you whether or not you want to incur the wrath of Mickey.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Welomes to that...

 

[Towncrier]

Well, if I do incur the wrath of Disney, at least I've got three big shot lawyers on my side!!!

Hopefully I'll get the family discount, if it ever comes to that...

Which is why I want my two high schoolers to seriously consider the legal profession. You can never have too many lawyers in the family. I look forward to seeing your work.

 

[BoardwalkBabe]

Bummer. I wonder how those people sell their paintings at the Flower and Garden show in EPCOT in the spring? Special dispensation from Disney?

Those artists have contractual agreements with Disney.

 

[corkeyk]

I would say sell the pictures in frames...

Frames cost so much and the pictures will be free if frames are purchased..your giving away a picture then..marketing made easy..People will always shop if something is free....