Discussion:
What is the name of your state?nj
I manufacture rugs. would like to create a reproduction rug collection using designs found in museums and books. i know a lot of people reproduce art found in museums and i would like to know how to determine if the designs are protected or not? Keep in mind these rugs will be sold commercially.
Thanks so much.
Answer:
What is the name of your state?nj
I manufacture rugs. would like to create a reproduction rug collection using designs found in museums and books. i know a lot of people reproduce art found in museums and i would like to know how to determine if the designs are protected or not? Keep in mind these rugs will be sold commercially.
Thanks so much. If the designs date prior to 1923, then they are not copyrighted, and are in the public domain, and you are free to copy them. If the designs are newer than that, then the designs most likely ARE copyrighted, and you'll need permission from the copyright holder (usually the creator, or the creator's heirs) to copy them. Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to easily determine whether or not something is copyrighted if it was created after 1923. You could search the U.S. Copyright Office's website, but lack of a copyright registration does not mean that the work is not copyrighted.