copyright for card makers

[Jibergurtgirl]

I make cards for a hobby and sell the odd one or two, how do I stand if I use bits from cards I have been given on my cards? I have been told that as long as I change the design of the card I am ok but I would like confirmation?

[atalanta]

If you pass off someone else's work as your own, you are in breach of the law. If the artist who created the original happened to spot what you did with his/her work, you could be taken to court for infringement of intellectual property.If charities recycle Christmas cards for good causes, that is probably not going to cause trouble, but if you make a profit for yourself, the original artist could claim that it should have been his/her profit, not yours.
You can be inspired by an idea, but you may not use someone else's work at least until they have been very long dead.

[tonywiltshire]

As Atlanta has said the ownership of work that has been created is owned by those that created it as their intellectual property, which can include trademarks and copyright and may be defended with vigour. Make sure you have introduced real & meaningful changes to the work that no confusion is possible.

[rowanwitch]

So no cutting out elements of bigger pictures and just mounting them on the front of your cards as part of a bigger design ....although I guess most card makers do it all the time

[Jibergurtgirl]

Thanks very much. I do use small bits and the design bears no resemblance to the original but just to be on the safe side I will just give those away and stick to selling my own designs.

[DTCwordfan]

Its worth putting a small copyright logo on the back of your card and your name to safeguard your own work. I do this on my prints......

[MarkRae]

http://www.greetingca...ight/know-your-rights

[woofgang]

Just generally, most craft firms who make bits for paper craft will ave a thing called an angel policy which states how you can use what you buy from them. Disney are the tightest. You are only allowed to use their stuff for yourself or to give as a gift eg send a card. Any other use and you could be in trouble.