QUESTION
Is selling Vincent Van Gogh picture reproductions legal?
Asked on Aug 26th, 2012 on Patents - Utah
More details to this question:
I repaint Vincent Van Gogh pictures and sell them at arts and craft shows. I tell people they are his pictures. Is this legal?
3 ANSWERS
Appellate Litigation Attorney serving Boston, MA
at
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Update Your Profile
Van Gogh's art work is now in the public domain - and may be freely reproduced without violation of US copyright law. That includes selling your copies at arts and craft shows.
You should not tell people that these works are "his" pictures - as they are instead "your" repainted versions of his originals. You can say that they are copies of his art - since that's what they are.
Answered on Aug 29th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
Intellectual Property Attorney serving South Jordan, UT
at
Pearson Butler
Update Your Profile
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that his work is in the public domain now, so you are probably fine. This is not a legal opinion, though, and I have not done the research necessary to be sure.
Answered on Aug 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Van Gogh died in 1890 so his work is in the public domain and the images can be copied by anyone. However claiming to potential buyers that your paintings were done by Van Gogh is fraudulent.
Answered on Aug 29th, 2012 at 4:29 PM