GCU Forum - I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box

Myrna_134142

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I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Aug 8^th, 2011, 1:53pm

I created a greeting card using a very Catholic holy card, which was returned for edits and re-submit. I admit that I do not understand what is being asked of me.

This is what I am told to do: Resubmit Notes: 24. Use of Vintage Works Vintage works, particularly works pre-1978 copyright laws, have limited, non-existent or expired copyright protection particularly when used in a new, creative or 'reworked' manner. It is your responsibility as the artist to ensure that your images use vintage findings as elements in a new composition thus creating your own original piece of art. Using the original work 'as is' to create a card is merely 'copying' and is not permitted on Greeting Card Universe.

This was my note when I submitted: Note To Reviewer: Image is from a very old Catholic Holy card which is now in public domain. It has been digitally altered by myself.

So my question is, does anyone reading this understand their request. Please, help, it is a very lovely picture and I would love to please, but do not follow what they want. cry

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Donna_137698 Gold Member artist Posts: 1064	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #1 - Aug 8^th, 2011, 2:10pm I would guess they mean that the original work needs to be substantially changed to make it significantly different from the original work to stand on its own. I'm sure the more knowledgeable will be able to respond with greater detail.
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Myrna_134142 Senior Member artist Posts: 294	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #2 - Aug 8^th, 2011, 2:56pm Thank you so much, you gave me a great idea. This image is black and white, and I had some watercolor flowers that I painted, I inserted them into the image and it looks so nice, with the black and white and touch of colored flowers. I will re-submit now.
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Doreen_137017

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Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Reply #3 - Aug 8^th, 2011, 3:14pm

Donna is correct. People often mistake making a color change or putting it on a card with a border and text as creating a new derivative work, but its not.

You must use the piece as one of other elements in a new creation. Perhaps the church is painted into a new background and becomes just one of many touches in a new painting.

Make sense?

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Myrna_134142 Senior Member artist Posts: 294	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #4 - Aug 8^th, 2011, 3:47pm Thanks again my card was approved a short time ago, after Donna's suggestion. Thank you Doreen as well. If any of you two would care to see it now: Product ID: 846775
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Donna_137698 Gold Member artist Posts: 1064	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #5 - Aug 8^th, 2011, 4:21pm very pretty... I guess it comes down to how much change is made to make it a new piece of work.
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Norma_133903 Senior Member artist Posts: 485	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #6 - Aug 10^th, 2011, 10:19pm Myrna, can I ask, how do you know that the image is in the public domain? Have you assumed it is because it is old or do you have proof?
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Myrna_134142

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Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Reply #7 - Aug 11^th, 2011, 5:57am

Hi Norma, here is a link that I go by: http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm

I have a collection of old Catholic holy cards that go back to the early 1900's; also a Catholic book full of images that were originally block printed, that is how old they are, all black and white. The book was printed by the Butler family, dated 1846 and it also gives permission on the first few pages to use their images to further the Faith.

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Norma_133903 Senior Member artist Posts: 485	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #8 - Aug 11^th, 2011, 6:37am That's a useful link. I had some images in mind, but they are from the UK so I don't think that will apply. Thanks anyway.
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Lynn_150145 Full Member artist Posts: 184	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #9 - Aug 11^th, 2011, 2:30pm Not that I have any sources, but I am wondering if the link is still completely valid since it was last updated in 2003. Just a thought.
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Myrna_134142 Senior Member artist Posts: 294	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #10 - Aug 11^th, 2011, 5:54pm I suppose you almost have to be a lawyer to know anything these days for sure, however I feel confident that GCU is on top of these matters.
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DENISE_132110

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Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Reply #11 - Aug 12^th, 2011, 5:04am

I think it depends as well on the guidelines set down by the source of the images. some of my oldest vintage images are licensed to use as is if i want to do so, some are not.

Artworks that are public domain may also be reproduced photographically or artistically or used as the basis of new, interpretive works.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain )This statement, to me, leaves you room to use the image as is or alter it.

i still choose to credit the artist when the artist is known. even if it is not required. it maybe in a description or on the image itself. doreen and i have discussed this part recently, though not concerning vintage images. i know she and i agree that it is only right to do so.

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Doreen_137017

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Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Reply #12 - Aug 12^th, 2011, 7:44am

Quote from DENISE_132110 on Aug 12^th, 2011, 5:04am:

I think it depends as well on the guidelines set down by the source of the images. some of my oldest vintage images are licensed to use as is if i want to do so, some are not.

Artworks that are public domain may also be reproduced photographically or artistically or used as the basis of new, interpretive works.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain )This statement, to me, leaves you room to use the image as is or alter it.

i still choose to credit the artist when the artist is known. even if it is not required. it maybe in a description or on the image itself. doreen and i have discussed this part recently, though not concerning vintage images. i know she and i agree that it is only right to do so.

Yup, you are I are on the same page with that one Denise

The thing to remember when using Public Domain (not so much with out of copyright pieces but other PD images) is the creator of the image may choose to share freely with no attribution, but if he/she dies the family owns the rights and they may decide otherwise. So I always give credit, like Denise, anytime I use elements that are not mine to help protect me against changes in ownership rules.

Also when you give proper credit, please be sure to do so on your image itself...very small and faded so its not obnoxiously visible, but there none-the-less. Why? Because at GCU you can not modify any other information that goes along with the card WHEN PRINTED that remains unique to only that card. On some other sites you can modify the back for each card or write on the lower left inside panel, but here you have only one choice to ensure credit STAYS with the image.

Food for thought

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Myrna_134142

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Posts: 294

Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box
Reply #13 - Aug 13^th, 2011, 12:37pm

Quote from Doreen_137017 on Aug 12^th, 2011, 7:44am:

Quote from DENISE_132110 on Aug 12^th, 2011, 5:04am:

I think it depends as well on the guidelines set down by the source of the images. some of my oldest vintage images are licensed to use as is if i want to do so, some are not.

Artworks that are public domain may also be reproduced photographically or artistically or used as the basis of new, interpretive works.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain )This statement, to me, leaves you room to use the image as is or alter it.

i still choose to credit the artist when the artist is known. even if it is not required. it maybe in a description or on the image itself. doreen and i have discussed this part recently, though not concerning vintage images. i know she and i agree that it is only right to do so.

Yup, you are I are on the same page with that one Denise

The thing to remember when using Public Domain (not so much with out of copyright pieces but other PD images) is the creator of the image may choose to share freely with no attribution, but if he/she dies the family owns the rights and they may decide otherwise. So I always give credit, like Denise, anytime I use elements that are not mine to help protect me against changes in ownership rules.

Also when you give proper credit, please be sure to do so on your image itself...very small and faded so its not obnoxiously visible, but there none-the-less. Why? Because at GCU you can not modify any other information that goes along with the card WHEN PRINTED that remains unique to only that card. On some other sites you can modify the back for each card or write on the lower left inside panel, but here you have only one choice to ensure credit STAYS with the image.

Food for thought

Good advice, so far I only know the name of one original artist, I did not put it on the card, (didn't think of that) but on the remarks for the purchaser to see.

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Myrna_134142 Senior Member artist Posts: 294	Re: I know I'm not the sharpest pencil in the box Reply #14 - Aug 13^th, 2011, 12:53pm Everyone is always so helpful to me, and look what I found while browsing and looking for some government free photos: http://www.dotgovwatch.com/?/archives/8-The-Best-Copyright-Free-Photo-Libraries. html Anxious to share
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