AboutShasta McLaughlin Expertise I can answer many questions about the art and craft show industry. I can help with booth setup, advertising and marketing, increasing sales at shows, where to find shows, how to promote an art or craft show, and much more.
Experience I have always been an artist/craft person since I was a child selling crafts at shows with my mom. I have also promoted several craft shows, and publish a newsletter for artists and crafters.
Publications EzineArticles.com
Education/Credentials Salutatorian of my graduating class. Associates degree of Graphic Design.
Question Dear Shasta, My question is similar to the last reply you provided. I want to introduce an image on the web which is a derivative cartoon work of Betty Boop, but I'm unsure if she is in a public domain category. According to Wikipedia a company does own the copyright, and partially bears the name of her creator. The question is, How do these companies/people/various online designers who create Myspace graphics get away with using these famous toons? There are even sex cartoons that bear these images, and I find it difficult to believe companies that trademark these images are providing licenses to manipulate such works in this manner (I could be wrong of course). So, even if it's a famous toon from the 30's, 40's, etc., you feel it's still safer to contact the co. before using the image as a derivative work? I will wait for your reply. Thank you.
William
PS: I would attach an image to further my point, but I feel you understand what I am saying....
Answer William,
To sort of answer your question after the fact.
A copyright is a strange creature and can be sold, transferred and possibly handed down for generations. They can also be used by a big company which can be sold, transferred or handed down for generations. In my opinion yes it is always better to ask the copyright owner for a license to use the copyrighted piece.
I am glad to see that you found the information you were looking for and sorry to see that it won't work for you.
I wanted to include the link you gave in this reply for others to see:
