What is the name of your state? CA
Thank you in advance.
I have a small online t shirt store and one of my designs is that of a political figure I am passionate about. I'm not gonna say who as it's irrelevant but let's just say his name is Sernie Banters. I recently traveled to a location where there are art installations outdoors. My plan was to go to each installation, find a bush or a tree or anywhere I can hang the Sernie Banters tee, take a photo and put it on my social media and online store. My project is called "Sernie Banters does The Entire Art Installation Event". Now mind you, I spent a lot of time, not just with the concept and driving to loc, but also with the editing of photos to make a whole new well-composed art and in this case, a photograph. Basically, the whole intention was for new photographs and materials I can post on my social media for the tshirt and online store promotion. I've posted a few on my Instagram account and the artist is always tagged. So far, none of the artists complained until now. He says to me "Hey, man" and I'm not even a man, that I shouldn't be using it for promotional use, that i'm "falsely implying his endorsement of the political candidate" and that he owns the copyright etc. Ok, so now, I understand how this can be frustrating as an artist myself, but I did think this would be a totally different scenario. Do I really have no right in any of these? If I'm wrong, will there be a "Cease and Desist" letter first or will I be fined right away if I continue? No other artists have complained yet but does that mean I can still be sued by them or the Event organization?
I made a very quick illustration on how the photos appear. Please see link (link removed), Imagine the tshirt hanging on a bush or a tree beside the installation.
Thanks again!
Thank you in advance.
I have a small online t shirt store and one of my designs is that of a political figure I am passionate about. I'm not gonna say who as it's irrelevant but let's just say his name is Sernie Banters. I recently traveled to a location where there are art installations outdoors. My plan was to go to each installation, find a bush or a tree or anywhere I can hang the Sernie Banters tee, take a photo and put it on my social media and online store. My project is called "Sernie Banters does The Entire Art Installation Event". Now mind you, I spent a lot of time, not just with the concept and driving to loc, but also with the editing of photos to make a whole new well-composed art and in this case, a photograph. Basically, the whole intention was for new photographs and materials I can post on my social media for the tshirt and online store promotion. I've posted a few on my Instagram account and the artist is always tagged. So far, none of the artists complained until now. He says to me "Hey, man" and I'm not even a man, that I shouldn't be using it for promotional use, that i'm "falsely implying his endorsement of the political candidate" and that he owns the copyright etc. Ok, so now, I understand how this can be frustrating as an artist myself, but I did think this would be a totally different scenario. Do I really have no right in any of these? If I'm wrong, will there be a "Cease and Desist" letter first or will I be fined right away if I continue? No other artists have complained yet but does that mean I can still be sued by them or the Event organization?
I made a very quick illustration on how the photos appear. Please see link (link removed), Imagine the tshirt hanging on a bush or a tree beside the installation.
Thanks again!
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