Can you copyright a tattoo?

[McJim]

Ok so I take a picture of the auckland skyline, dominated by that filthy big needle, can sky tower then stop me selling postcards ???

I wouldn't have thought so - easy answer though - if they tried I'd just airbrush the eyesore out and sell the postards as 'The famous Auckland Skyline before the filthy big needle wor built' they'd be the loonies to lose the free advertising.
Why, is it something you're likely to do?

[Lias]

Some mates of mine said they met a dude in the pub with the same dagger tattoo on his arm as me.. Was a bit slutted as it was an original creation, but I shouldnt be too surprised because the tattooist put a picture of it up on the wall at the studio :-)

[sAsLEX]

I wouldn't have thought so - easy answer though - if they tried I'd just airbrush the eyesore out and sell the postards as 'The famous Auckland Skyline before the filthy big needle wor built' they'd be the loonies to lose the free advertising.
Why, is it something you're likely to do?

But is that not the same as taking pictures of some park in Ponsnoby with some silly fallen over shit in the grass? Which is what Hallenstiens did.

[McJim]

But is that not the same as taking pictures of some park in Ponsnoby with some silly fallen over shit in the grass? Which is what Hallenstiens did.

Pretty much - I think that was going to be the defence but it was probably suspected that a kiwi judge might consier that to be semantics - besides - the publicity wasn't all good and it was in the middle of a rebranding campaign for Hallensteins so they cut their losses and ran.

[sAsLEX]

Pretty much - I think that was going to be the defence but it was probably suspected that a kiwi judge might consier that to be semantics - besides - the publicity wasn't all good and it was in the middle of a rebranding campaign for Hallensteins so they cut their losses and ran.

More than likely having to pay out the "artist"


though I do like that sculpture.

[Skyryder]

I'm no expert but I think copyright is only for words...........as in 'copy.'

You can 'register' designs but it take only a small alteration to the registered design to make a new design.

Costs of enforcement.................just not worth it.

Skyryder

[Oakie]

well, the angel on my back is a tribal type abstract angel. So when you look at it, you can see the form of the angel but it's weird...
here: http://ccc.domaindlx.com/placidfemme/other/tamy1.jpg
.

Hey that's really nice PF. I like it a lot.
I got a pretty special tattoo a few months back ... our family crest ... and I think I'd feel the same way you do if I saw someone else with it not knowing what it represents.
Ummm, and before anyone asks ... no, it's not a dog pissing on a tree ... it's a wolf rampant against an oak tree (and yes, it's either a very big wolf or a very small tree)

[Colapop]

.... I want to change it so I know its the only one... well close to anyway

Yours is the only one. Your tattoo, you had done for you, for your reasons. It can be copied but the reason/s for your inkwork are yours. The rest are only poor imitations. The essence of your tattoo remains with you.

[boomer]

I was just wondering if one (me) could copyright a tattoo image or design.... .....yaddy yadda yaaah....With my angel tattoo, I very rarely posted any pics on the net, its never been printed/published in a magazine because I don't let people take pictures of it, and I refused to let the tattoo artist take a picture of it once he was done, and I took my papers home with me...

So I have no idea how this chick got my design. She reckons she got it done at some palour in Onehunga (or somewhere South) and I got mine in Ponsonby... so I don't know...

But in future, is there anyway I can stop people from stealing my own skin art? (Other than not getting one at all)

..... ummmm

yadda yaaadaa...
here: http://ccc.domaindlx.com/placidfemme/other/tamy1.jpg
...

too funny; Woooah is me.. wooooooaaaah ... oh wait.. whats this interwebby thing again.. its just bikers right....right?? RIGHT!!!! :/

And i can just imagine you seeing someone in the street and telling them your gonna sue 'em! i could hazard a guess what the persons response would be

its original.. 'COS IT's ON YOU !!!!! Get over it

[boomer]

I got a pretty special tattoo a few months back ... our family crest ... and I think I'd feel the same way you do if I saw someone else with it not knowing what it represents.
Ummm, and before anyone asks ... no, it's not a dog pissing on a tree ... it's a wolf rampant against an oak tree (and yes, it's either a very big wolf or a very small tree)

You drew that well considering you had ya eyes closed and used the wrong hand

i don't think you have to worry about someone 'borrowing' your design

[McJim]

I'm no expert but I think copyright is only for words...........as in 'copy.'

You can 'register' designs but it take only a small alteration to the registered design to make a new design.

Costs of enforcement.................just not worth it.

Skyryder

Would I be right in guessing that you work in media somewhere? That's the only place I've hear the word 'copy' referring to words. In many of the catalogues of Art work I've dealt with the following words have been required: "Copyright of the image is retained by the artist and their estate" But that's in the UK, Europe and USA - I accept it might be different here.

[avgas]

Cant copyright tatts', tagging, or dances.

[El Dopa]

I knew my specialist subject would come up if I hung around here long enough.

I work in IP. That means Patents, Trademarks and Copyright. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about.

Copyright is an automatic right. You do not have to apply or pay any money to get it. If you go down the pub and doodle a stickman on an old beer mat - that image is copyright. You own the copyright in that image. If you paint, draw, sculpt, write a piece of music, or create any original piece of work - all copyright.

However, only the creator of the work owns it, unless they sign it over to someone else, or unless the creator was commissioned to do it.

So, PF, you might have copyright in the image, depending on the circumstances under which it was created. Or your friend might own it.

The kicker comes when you want to enforce your rights. You have to prove that there is an original work (the original sketches, NOT the tattoo). Then, you have to prove that the tattoo place in Onehunga or wherever it was directly or indirectly copied this original design, and didn't come up with it themselves. Even if you can track them down, they'll just say they came up with it independently (unless its so close they're clearly blatenty lying).

Taking action tends to be expensive, which is generally why its only big firms and famous artists that bother. Sorry.

[sunhuntin]

bugger!

yeh, i hate people who get other peoples tats on them. in saying that, 5 of my 6 are "off the wall" types, but i got the colors changed, size and other things. plus, as someone else said, the reason for your tattoo will always be original. my 5 off the walls are for people who have passed away. no one else will have my same butterflies for that reason.
you sent me a pic of your angel, and i thought it was beautiful. if id seen it on a wall, i might have thought about getting one similar. but, i saw it on flesh and to me, thats off limits.

[Paul in NZ]

Just another reason why I don't have any tats - I'm original...

Yup! Still in 'fresh outta that box' condition - apart from a bit of wear and tear that is... 'Played with' condition.