As for Herb Ritts, it would be his estate. He died a couple months
ago at the very young age of 50...
And yes, you'd be in deep water with his estate if your copies were
unmistakably of his work, but recently there were a couple of copying
cases tried in courts and both the original shooters lost. See, and
incidentally read regularly, Photo District News. Or go to PDN's
site.
So generally, if an image has been registered with the Copyright
Office, then you're vulnerable if you get caught. If it hasn't been,
then it's not worth going to court so you get away with it...
So it comes down to honesty; actually, in my opinion, the place where
all issues between people should reside.
Before we go any further with this conversation, it would be just
wonderful to hear from Bobbert, as he promised, despite his hangover!
And the sooner the better.
There are others on this list who can speak to these issues - Tina
Manley probably has thoughts about the subject of licensing for
reproduction in another medium, and Les Baldwin, too. It would also
be interesting to hear from them.
--
Emily L. Ferguson
elf@cape.com 508-563-6822
New England landscapes, wooden boats and races, press photography
Beetle cats on the web at:
http://www.vsu.cape.com/~elf
http://www.beetlecat.org/store.html#yrbook
