Author Topic: Copyright and Parody  (Read 2463 times)

Offline Boldline

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Copyright and Parody
« on: June 21, 2014, 12:34:56 PM »
I've got a project sent to me by one of my clients for their client who wants the back of their shirt to have the "American Gothic" painting in black ink on a white shirt with a quote below. Of course I was concerned about copyright infringement in reproducing someone else's art and suggested to the client that we change the design to avoid any issues. They insist they want it but left room for it to be changed to avoid copyright infringement.
Ironically there is a lot of debate about whether or not this painting is actually still copyrighted as the deadline was missed back in the 1950's and then the artist's sister copyrighted a likeness of the painting...not that this job is worth challenging all that!

I know parodies of copyrighted movies, paintings, books is acceptable... any thoughts on what I could do with this job!?!!
Mat Woodworth
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Offline Command-Z

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Re: Copyright and Parody
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2014, 01:48:07 PM »
The rights of artists whose work is iconic or otherwise famous are often protected. Commercial use of Grant Woods' work is handled by VAGA

http://vagarights.com/

This doesn't look like parody since the image is a simple reproduction... but there are many parodies of this painting out there. Maybe draw your own? Howabout putting Edison's face in there in place of the farmer's. Give him a light bulb instead of the pitchfork.

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Offline ScreenFoo

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Re: Copyright and Parody
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2014, 01:56:34 PM »
Actually, Vaga is notorious for suing people for parodies of this image as well.  I'd watch my step.


Neat blog post about it:

http://mako.cc/copyrighteous/american-gothic-and-the-free-culture-imperative

Offline Frog

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Re: Copyright and Parody
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2014, 02:20:57 PM »
American Gothic, The Mona Lisa. and The Scream have to be the most parodied iconic paintings that I have seen over the years.

Ripe for the pop culture accouterments du jour

Something like this is probably ripe for an attack from two fronts, though no one could confuse it with either of its original sources or inspirations.
That rug really tied the room together, did it not?

Offline inkman996

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Re: Copyright and Parody
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2014, 09:12:21 AM »
American Gothic, The Mona Lisa. and The Scream have to be the most parodied iconic paintings that I have seen over the years.

Ripe for the pop culture accouterments du jour

Something like this is probably ripe for an attack from two fronts, though no one could confuse it with either of its original sources or inspirations.

Game of Thrones fan I assume?

Fantastic show!
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Offline mk162

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Re: Copyright and Parody
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2014, 09:19:07 AM »
mt favorite parody was Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy...I think I had that puzzle growing up.