I think I have seen this on Zazzle. Is there anything against the rules to sell vintage images that are in the public domain as prints, framed/posters etc. Nothing else added to them, apart from maybe just enhanced for print.
Thanks
Hi Andy, here’s an answer that might help—-
https://photocopyrightlaw.com/is-profiting-from-public-domain-images-allowed/
This paragraph specifically stands out in the article—-
While profiting from public domain images is permitted, individuals or companies should not falsely claim that they own the copyright in a public domain image. Once a work is released into the public domain, it has no copyright. Unfortunately, these false claims, known as copyfraud, have proliferated.
Some other useful links on the site also.
Thanks. I just wondered if Zazzle only allows it if some creative element is added. I think I heard this on other POD sites.
I have seen various vintage art without enhancement posted over the years on products, both here and on other POD sites. I just checked zazzle’s user terms,nothing specific stands out about reuse of vintage art. It more or less concentrated on making sure that the person posting is the copyright owner. Unfortunately what is shown on the internet as public domain is not always public domain. Because there is such a gray area between what is public domain and what might still be protected by the heirs of image copyrighted, it could be a very expensive and risky mistake if someone rightfully decides to sue…and wins. So in a way, Zazzle’s cautioned take down notices, while first protecting themselves,kinda sorta possibly protect you in advance of that happening to you.
I do not know the Zazzle rules on this, however, I can say, that I very often find multiple designers have created exactly the same postcard from a vintage artwork. I see this often, as I scan everyday to find postcards for my postcards of the world board at Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/ArmchairTravelers/postcards-of-the-world
What you’ve seen on other POD’s is likely the rule used when you use free images from sites like Pixabay where you have to alter, add to, or otherwise distinguish it from the original. Vintage images in the public domain can be used freely, though you should always check to make sure there isn’t a family or legitimate organization that maintains copyright. I have two rules of thumb: (1) It has to be at least a hundred years old and (2) it has to come from a place such as a museum or other such legitimate collection that actually tells you whether or not it’s in the public domain. Try a place like The Smithsonian. You’ll have a ball there.
Yes, one of my stores is dedicated to vintage works (VintageSketch). Other than for a few early posts, I’ve cleaned up all to repair age damage and to enhance for print. I am very careful to source from legitimate sources (e.g., museums) and that the works are in the public domain due to age.
For example, I worked on this one today:
Before – https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-8ce5-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
After – https://www.zazzle.com/vintage_1906_new_york_city_subway_station_jigsaw_puzzle-116889359044868824
ETA: technically it’s also OK to sell as-is, but I enjoy cleaning up old works, and this allows my products to be more unique than the generic cut-and-paste type
Nicely done!
@jennifer22 You’ve done a good job!
I do precisely the same thing, trying to restore the images as much as possible. There was a wonderful BBC show called “Fake or Fortune” where they’d periodically restore a painting, after which the true colors and thus beauty of a it showed through. All the dirt and grime certainly wasn’t what the artists had painted, but we have it even worse because the images are being reproduced digitally, which adds a further layer of both bad color and digital dirt. The artists deserve better than that.
Have you also seen Secrets of the Museum? It’s following the daily work at the V&A - some of the restoration work to paintings especially is so well done, but also scary to watch.
1 Like
Is it on YouTube? If so, I can say without first looking that I’ll subscribe. Thanks for the info!
Fabulous programme. Such passion and artistry.
But why scary?
I went from here directly to my TV (Roku variety) and searched for “Secrets of the Museum,” but what I found seemed to not be any sort of official channel. Rather, it was extremely short bits and pieces with a great deal of talk rather than deep information. If anyone knows how I might find the actual shows, I’d be totally grateful. I’ve run out of “Fake or Fortune” and am finishing up watching Phillip Mould, the art dealer who was involved in the show. I’m about to go into withdrawal.
Barbara - it’s a British show currently on BBC - there are 3 series.
I don’t know where you might be able to view this - probably not on Youtube…
Well, phooey. As far as I can tell, all the really good history, archaeology, and art programs are done in Britain. American TV is mostly garbage and to the point where we’ve gotten rid of cable TV. Anyway, if it’s a current show, this explains why I was seeing what are likely promos for the show. I’ll have to be patient because, eventually, the BBC shows end up on YouTube like “Fake or Fortune,” which I’m fairly sure was a BBC production.
Sorry for the delay in replying to this. It was on BBC, you can watch it on iPlayer if you have access to that, but only the 3rd series is on there at the moment.
I seem to have accepted a reply as a solution by mistake sorry. Hope the thread stays open.
Ha maybe scary is the wrong word. I remember they did something to a piece of art having to submerge it in some liquid… just hoping that it was the right thing to do. I would just be scared having that on me.
I found S01E01 on dailymotion - hope its ok to post the link here - https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7rmcn6 - only one episode sorry but can see what it is like at least.
Thanks, @andyodell , but it’s too bad the first episode isn’t about painting, which has been my passion since forever. As for Apple gizmos, I despise them. Don’t ask me why, I just do. I bet, though, if I search amongst the many channels on my Roku TV, I’ll find more of what I seek. I’ll just imagine it, and it’ll come into being. Isn’t that how life works?