LEG!T

The Ink Lounge Image Usage Rights Policy is based on 35+ years of graphic design experience. I've provided links to articles that have assisted in shaping this policy. Please don’t hesitate to inquire on a specific project as I do understand there are some grey areas and people will have various interpretations when creating art.
Fan Art / Might Be Acceptable 
This is the practice of taking a comic book character, movie star, musician, etc. and creating something new - but the viewer would still recognize the person/character. The legality of it comes down to a few things including “distribution” and “transformation.” I do understand there are many companies that do allow people to create and sell fan art, so I am are lenient with this practice plus I understand as it’s fun! So if you create something unique that is considered transformative, and you are printing no more than 50 prints–we can chat about possibilities. Please note that for those of you working digitally, merely live tracing or converting an image to a halftone is not considered transformative. My best advice is to sharpen your pencil and get to work. 

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Derivative Art / Usually Not Acceptable 
This is the practice of taking another person's image and altering it, and the new artist creates something new, and assumes they are within their rights to profit from it. Many people are incorrectly taught that if you change an image 3 times or alter it 30%, then this is acceptable. Please be aware that using someone else’s image is not acceptable under copyright law and you need permission from the original artist to use it in your own artwork to sell. Please note that there are websites that do provide copyright free images (purchase may be necessary) or images that are in the public domain which are both fine to use. Please be sure to check the fine print when purchasing stock images or using public domain images as they may have restrictions on resale. 

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Unofficial Gig Posters / Not Acceptable
Unofficial posters are often created to be sold outside the venue or online. This is a common practice and enforced at various levels depending on the venue, band, and printer. Some bands don’t care and view it as fan art as long as the artist is not infringing or using their visual brand. 
Example: using the band name, show dates, venues, logos, etc. on the poster would infringe on copyright law. Unfortunately these types of posters devalue the time and talent that designers and Illustrators have put in to create relationships with the bands and/or the venues. I do not want to be in the business of knowing which venues and bands allow and which do not. So my policy is I do not print unofficial posters unless you can provide written permission from the band. 

Proof is required, no exceptions.

Summary

Ink Lounge values creativity and understands that we are all inspired by a great many things and I will continue to encourage everyone to express their creativity. I realize others may have their own interpretations, but my goal is to uphold rights for all artists. And where I am always up for a conversation, ultimately I have the right to create and enforce this policy in my studio and the work I produce.

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