Am I allowed to sell fanart of well-known characters?
June 22, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alice Falk
Dear copyright attorney,
My name is Anneliese Kroll and I have a question regarding the sale of fan art of well-known characters. I have a passion for painting and have recently created some images of famous characters from movies and TV shows. Now I would like to sell some of these works and I have concerns regarding copyright.
The characters I have painted are all from well-known movies and TV shows that are dear to me. I have created the images with a lot of love and effort and would like to sell them on online platforms or at markets. However, I am concerned that I may be violating copyright laws, as these are protected characters.
My worry is that I may face legal consequences if I sell my fan art. I do not want to get into legal trouble, but at the same time, I would like to make my artwork accessible to a larger audience and also earn some money from it.
Could you please tell me if it is legal to sell fan art of well-known characters? Are there ways I can sell my works without violating copyright? I would greatly appreciate your expert opinion and any advice you may have.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Anneliese Kroll
Dear Mrs. Kroll,
Thank you for your question regarding the sale of fan art featuring well-known characters and your concerns regarding copyright. It is understandable that you would like to make your artwork accessible to a larger audience and also earn some money from it without getting into legal trouble.
When it comes to fan art featuring well-known characters, it is important to note that these characters are typically protected by copyright. This means that the rights to these characters belong to the respective rights holders, most often the production companies or creators of the movies and series. Therefore, if you create and sell fan art of these characters, it could be considered a copyright infringement.
However, there are some ways you can sell fan art featuring well-known characters without violating copyright. One option would be to seek a license or permission from the rights holders to use the characters in your artwork. While this may be time-consuming and costly, it would be the safest way to avoid legal consequences.
Another option would be to create your fan art images in a way that they can be viewed as parody or satire. Many countries have exceptions in copyright law for parodies and satires, which would allow you to use protected characters in your artwork as long as you transform them in a humorous or critical way.
It is important to note, however, that the lines between fan art, parody, and copyright infringement can sometimes blur, and it depends on the specific circumstances. It is advisable to seek advice from a copyright lawyer if you are unsure to ensure that you are not taking any legal risks.
I hope this information helps you and supports you in your decision. If you have any further questions or need further guidance, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Alice Falk
Copyright Lawyer
