Expert: Tom Riddolls M.A.C. - 11/19/2009

Question
Sir,
i m in India, doing postgraduate in fashion designing.i like to re-print old paintings of master painter Raja Ravivarma(Indian),in sarees with some changes in them.
    i got some small pictures from publications and from Net Initially i need to do print them in sarees, but it is not used for any sales..........

1.   If copyright is there, what has to be done to reprint them lawful ways ?
2.is there any copyright attorney for raja ravi varma paintings??
   
Your advice is valuable.
Kindly reply to: viji
email :
Thanks for the time  

Answer
First of all I have no first hand experience securing Copyright, Second each country is different.  Also any copyright lawyer can help you out.

Now, here in Canada, images may be used for research reasons without cost - I'm not sure if this is a gentlemen's agreement or law, but to publish a thesis you generally do not need to pay for copyright, assuming it is not a profitable venture nor are you changing the image or using it incorrectly.  But if someone takes offence you can bet the law will not be on your side.

Also, the images belongs to whoever took the picture, meaning if I took a picture of a famous sculpture, you would have to ask ME for use of it, not the sculptor, I would be responsible for ensuring I was allowed to take the picture in the first place.  Again if someone complains these rules break down.  Enough money will usually win when it comes to copyright infringement.

The easiest way to avoid problems is to ask who owns these images and let them know your intentions.  You could even have them sign an agreement that says they allow you to use their material.  Likewise. Most businesses the retain copyright of material will have a release form that outlines how you may use it.  

Good luck
Tom
ps- I am no lawyer and while everything above I believe to be true, in actual fact, I would not suggest you trust it to be so. If worried, see a lawyer