If you adopt a illustration style that is quite similar to someone, example same hairstyle to the original one, but with different eyes and face features, does it consider a form of copyright infrigement?

I am adopting a disney style of drawing, and i am wondering if i am in copyright infringement?

I want to make sure if it is correct thing to do?

I wouldn't do it, especially with companies that are known to be picky about copyright.

E.g., as an experiment I applied a few simple edits to a banana using Corel PhotoPaint. It's a generic banana bought at a local supermarket, the photo is mine, no special plug-ins were used, and the resulting illustration is completely my own work, so it's probably not an infringement based on sites' rules. Nevertheless, I wouldn't dare to upload as stock, since I am afraid someone may disagree.

Note that some major stock sites tend to shut down your account in case of doubt, so it's better not to take the risk imo.

LMAO

I do not understand the copyright infringement with the banana. Original work, based on an original photo.

My assumption was it was too close to Andy Warhol's banana

http://www.fakechineserubberplant.com/2010/05/let-us-now-praise-pop-music/andy-warhol-banana-779459-2/

I had an illustration rejected as being too similar to a Matisse cutout at iStock, which was purely in the style of, with no actual elements similar, just the style, so the rejection would probably stand there.

It is my understanding that if you can produce the source material, which is your own copyright, you are OK.

However, if your illustration copies someone famous, I can see how you might get a rejection. So in the case of the OP, you might have problems with your style being close to Disneys. As for rejections, it will depend on the agency. I would say forget istock, as surely if they reject based on something looking like Matisse's, you can almost be certain a style similar to Disney's might not fly.

As far as copyright infringement, just remember, the bigger the company's style you are copying, the more attorneys and money they have to sue you, should they see it. Even if you do get it accepted somewhere. I guess the issue would be how close to Disney's style is it? That could be a subjective thing, and even if everyone here said you were good to go, Disney might not think so.

Maybe you can test the waters with a few. If they get rejected, you know you are on the wrong track.

No, I wasn't (just) joking with the banana example. It's a case where I am not sure if there's a copyright issue but the risk is simply too high. Should I sell it, I am just not sure if I will be sued by Warhol's foundation or Lou Reed or have my account(s) shut down, or all of them. And none of those is funny. The Disney issue is very similar. Being sued doesn't mean we are wrong and they are right. But they are more powerful, and will likely win with better lawyers.

How many post have we all seen- "My account has been terminated due to copying someone's work" !  Why mess with fire? Your good enough produce your own work- don't risk it because once your account is closed good luck trying to explain to them that you only used others work to make your image.

Tom

Yes, it's considered copyright infringement.  Disney will eat you alive in a copyright suit - they have a reputation for being aggressive with infringers.

Here's a related, recent article from Black Star Rising => http://rising.blackstar.com/when-your-idea-is-too-close-for-comfort-to-someone-elses.html

Find your own style.  It will take a few years.  Experiment, learn, grow.

I am a former disney artist and i have been drawing this style for so many years. However, there are 2 distinctives disney style, the classic style(example snow white, mickey mouse) and the animated style (eg, jake and the neverland pirates). i believe the animated style would be more suitable for vector stuff, and i believe it is going to take some time for me to adapt to a new style.

David baker.. Can the Disney style be described ? and would that description hold water in court?

As far as copying goes, I don't do it intentionally. But I find it hard to believe that any idea I might have for an image, any stroke I put to paper, or any style I use to draw hasn't been done by someone, somewhere, at some time. I think that holds true for everyone.

Hi ShadySue and cclapper,

I think exactly like you. But of course now I'm a little worried with so many terminated accounts cases.

I know that, if you don't copy someone's else work there should be nothing to worry about. But I'm wodering if it's possible that a magazie or blog complain to a micrsostock and cause an unfair account suspension/termination.

I hope that this risk is low for those who create their own work.

Thanks

Tutorials are good to learn technique but creating similar image doesn't make sense to me even if it would be safe. When some interesting tutorial appears on internet - microstock sites are few days later flooded by more or less similar images so you won't make much money anyway.

I am adopting a disney style of drawing, and i am wondering if i am in copyright infringement?

I want to make sure if it is correct thing to do?

unless you are planning to sell disney's mickey mouse, snow white or bamby, you will be fine.. styles do not belong to anyone.. disney style is not %100 original, it is influenced by many other artworks that came before it..

so style could be similar, but what you create using that style MUST BE UNIQUE

Hello all,

What about a magazine tutorial or free "step by steps" on the internet? If you use the techniques described on these articles, could it cause you any problem or have the account terminated?

I guess a lot of people learn from these sources. But of course the techniques are created by someone. Although the articles are written to spread the knowledge, would people be allowed to used the same styles and sell the images?

similar to my answer above, techniques can not belong to anyone and can not be copyrighted.. but let's say you read a tutorial about drawing a bag, and using that tutorial, you drew that bag from the tutorial.. in that case oh god, you are in hot waters and if it's spotted, you are out..

You can't draw what is drawn in that article.. if the article is about drawing a dog.. you can't draw that dog.. that is copying.. you can draw a "unique" mouse (out of your own imagination, if it exists) using that technique, but not the dog.. I mean it's up to you, If you can't resist, do it, but once spotted, you will feel the heat..

you said: "If you adopt a illustration style that is quite similar to someone, example same hairstyle to the original one, but with different eyes and face features, does it consider a form of copyright infrigement"

if your new work causes confusion (meaning people think it was done by the author you are copying) then it is infringing. if the average person understands that it was not done by the original author, it is not infringing.

only a court of law can determine if copyright infringement has occured.