use of printed images in art

[lizzi]

Hello,

I currently make paper crafts as gifts for friends & family but I am looking into selling them.

I use my own photographic images but also cut images/ illustartions out of newspapers and magazines etc and incoprorate them into the design.

If I am going to sell them will there be copyright issues and do I need to ask permission to use the images?

As a separate question if all goes to plan will I need to copyright my images?

Many thanks!

[CopyrightAid]

Yes. For the images that are not your own, you will need the permission before you start selling your products. The best place to start is with the publishers of the magazine (etc.), as they will certainly know who the copyright owner is.
You should also be prepared to pay a fee or royalties to use the images.

As far as the photos you have taken, you are the copyright owner - copyright is the automatic right of the creator of the work. So to answer your 2nd question: No, you already have copyright.

A lot of people in your situation will register their work somewhere like the UKCS - but don't confuse registration with copyright itself. Registration is purely about evidence - helping you to prove your copyright claim (in case of future legal disputes). Hint: I know from a previous forum posting that its a lot cheaper to register a 'collection' with the UKCS than attempt to register individual designs (see http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/services/knowledge-base/kb_collections)

Good luck in your venture.

[lizzi]

Thank you for your advice!