Copyright question

**iamtheblues** · 20 July 2012, 04:29 PM

Years ago when I was first getting into vector design, I made a vector drawing from a photo I saw on the internet.
Subsequently I have found a commercial use for the piece I created. I have refrained from going ahead with this as I'm concerned about the copyright aspect.
The drawing of the photo isn't identical, but it is easy to see that I drew inspiration from the photo.
Attached is my graphic and if you were to type "bullet" in Google Images the original photo is on the first page.
Am I right to be reluctant to go ahead with this project?
Bob.

**mwenz** · 20 July 2012, 04:40 PM

Ask a copyright lawyer. In the very least, look up copyright case law and make a (somewhat) informed decision that you can live with. There are some good books concerning copyright law and the graphic artist to be found. Anecdotal or other personal opinion on an Internet forum are just that.

Take care, Mike

**gwpriester** · 20 July 2012, 05:18 PM

A great book that comes to mind (Hmm, I wonder why

) is Electronic Highway Robbery - An artists guide to copyrights in the digital era.

A lot depends on how you plan to use the image. If you plan to use the image for profit and the image will come up in a Google search, then you are better off creating a similar image but one that is different enough.

**Soquili** · 20 July 2012, 05:20 PM

If it helps you any Bob the first thought at seeing your drawing was a Duracell battery, not a bullet.

**iamtheblues** · 05 August 2012, 10:22 AM

Sorry for the delay in responding to this. Thanks for your replies, guys. I decided not to use my graphic in the end as it fairly closely resembled the original photo, although Bill's comment nearly persuaded me otherwise as he quite rightly thought it looked more like a battery than a bullet.

I think the moral of this tale is that if one has to ask the question in the first place, then it's probable that it's not worth the risk of infringement.
Bob.