What can I use for a supply?

[PurelyChicDesigns]

I have a random question I am hoping you can help me with! I have a coffee table book of Lassen art prints that I love but is taking up space. I have considered cutting it up into supplies for my bookmarks....upcycling it into something more useful than a dust collector. Would I be able to sell them or would that infringe on the copyright of the artist? I would not claim the artwork as my own and would state where the art came from, but I don't want to put in the time/effort/supplies if that is going to break any laws or etsy rules. Thank you so much if you have any guidance!

[Former_Member]

You won't be breaking any rules by using pages from a coffee table book as supplies to make book marks.

Just be sure that you list the bookmarks in the handmade section.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I would think you ARE breaking copyright rules.
The artist did not give you permission to make money out of their work.

[Plektra]

I would also think that you are not allowed without permission. The best thing to do is to contact the artist and find out if you can use the material so you can sell or donate the finished goods to a charity. This way the book is useful for something.

[PurelyChicDesigns]

This is where it becomes so confusing to me. I have direct competitors that use Disney supplies, Dr Who, Harry Potter, etc., and I have never done that because I feel that is a direct violation of copyright law. But re purposing a greeting card, calendar, wrapping paper...someone designed those too, right? That is what is so frustrating to me lol. I will see if I can find a way to contact the artist and see though!

[Plektra]

Lisa, I know what you mean. I recently came across a seller who is selling 3 knitting patterns she copied from the book of a well-known designer. She copied the photos and is making money from the patterns even though the book says you are not allowed to do that. I reported the seller to the designer and to Etsy. The items are still here and the seller is still making money from them. The complaint has to come from the designer. They need to contact Etsy. If they don't complain, I suppose the items will be here.

[Former_Member]

The question really is whether this would be considered a 'derivative work' or not. I think you need to do more research but it could be possible:
http://copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf
http://www.finnegan.com/resources/articles/articlesdetail.aspx?news=9cbb473b-f87b-47eb-8d4b-0202ad56...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_work

But I would make sure before you commit.

[Former_Member]

I've often wondered that too, as I've seen many shops selling screen print characters and symbols over top pages from dictionaries and encyclopedias. Some are instant downloads and some are framed.

[PurelyChicDesigns]

Diana,

I would not be altering the art in any way other than cutting it to size and creating a bookmark from it, so I would only be showing a 1.5x2.25 portion of the photo. I would not claim the art as my own, and I could certainly put the artist's name on the listing as well, giving credit where credit is due. At the same time though, I could go buy Disney books at a thrift store and use that to make bookmarks....then is it copyright infringement still? Gosh, I just don't know! People sell items made with licensed fabric too. It is so hard to know what is legally ok.