What alot to think about! Correct me if I'm wrong, but -

1. (as an ex-graphic designer) I don't think graphic designers have any rights to their work, UNLESS they haven't been paid - otherwise, either their client or their boss are paying for their services and work produced.

2. (as an artist) I don't think a buyer can own anything except the peice itself - they can sell it, and advertise to sell it - but produce a set of beer-coasters from it? I'd sue like hell. My buyers own their prints, however I still own the work.

If this is wrong, please let me know.

Does anyone know - a lot of copyright law is media dependant (digital, printed, etc); and since in this case the media is skin, has there been any legal debate on the ramifications of THAT?

That is fucking AWSOME!!!!! WAY TO GO!!!!

thats fancy and all, but amina has a jessica rabbit tattoo. did she get permission from disney to do that? while i understand the reasoning behind her getting it copyrighted, doesnt she herself break the law by getting something tattooed on her that isnt hers?

Yeah, this shit is ridiculous.

One of the items regarding copyrights is that they protect original works of art like tattoos from being copied, but they do not protect the orginal work if the "copy" is not exactly the same. If there are enough differences, then the copy is considered a piece all of its own.

There is no case law on the tattoo subject yet. Perhaps if Amina begins a lawsuit and wins we'll have one, but in the meantime we have to look at previous torts. While I don't have the references available to me, they basically cover what I've stated above. While there are too many similarities (especially that the guy got his on the chest, the skull, words and knives/sword placements are too much for me), there may be enough differences:

Notice the chain links coming out from under the "Dead Men" scroll? How about the fact that the swords are only shown above the skull and the blades below are not? Did you notice the "loop" on the upper right sword handle? I won't mention the colors used, as they have no bearing on the artwork, but these other items I've mentioned may - I repeat MAY- (I'm not an attorney) present enough of a difference to make the artwork an original all of its own.

Regarding those that have tattoos of other copyrighted material. If they did not get permission from the creator of those works, then they may wish to change them sufficiently enough so they don't get sued, but most likely it would be their tatto artist who would be at fault for creating the copy.

As I recall, copyrights last for 15 years after the creator's death. So hopefully Tim Kern will live a long time. I suggest that any agreement between Amina and Tim be put in writing though, just in case...

The copyright office will allow copyrights on almost anything... as long as they get paid. Did you know that you can get a UCC filing for yourself, and claim that you are a "transmitting utility" and as such have a lien placed on yourself by yourself so that you can skirt paying your bills? Not really, but there are people who are doing this anyway, and to a point getting the IRS off their backs.

Fuckin' rights.

I woulda done a whooole lot worse than legal action... But this is the good way of handling things.

You are correct sir. Unless you have sold the rights to the buyer. Read any and all contracts. In Australia the laws could be different, but in the US, if there is a company involved like, say Coca Cola, they will have a contract drawn up giving them all rights to the product and the work. That's why I say Amina and Tim need to put it in writing. If something were to happen to Tim and there was no contract, his "estate" could sue if Amina put her likeness with the chest piece on beer-coasters to sell.

I had this strange idea that the opinion here would be against intellectual property.

Go Amina Go!!

touche

I appreciate the idea behind this and can understand Amina being pissed off but this is taking it too far. I mean seriously, let's be honest here people. I would guesstimate that 10% of tattooed people's tattoos would be 100% original work, perhaps 50% would be flash and the other 40% stollen from somewhere be it logos, cartoon characters, band names, images from tattoo magazines or off the internet. This kind of action is a tad hypocritical from someone who has Snow White tattooed on her arm! Disney would be well within their right to hit Amina with a copyright infringment suit (probably a defamation case as well)!

Please don't get me wrong here, like I said I appreciate her anger and can understand where she is coming from I just can't stand hypocricy. I think what is need here is not legal action and court orders (because frankly if everyone acted on this alot of people would be in a heap of shit) but a higher code of ethics from tattooees and tattooers to respect people's custom work, sure use it as insipiration but don't flog it, that's just not on.

In any event, Amina's pretty darn awsome.

Way to go Amina!

I love Amina and her beauty and her willingness to make a point without causing harm to those idiots, but many of us have copyrighted items on our bodies. She's so hardcore, yet so humble

i have a frat tattoo, i have been blacklisted by them now(i don't exist, basically ), the symbols and letters are copyrighted and I don't have any claim to wear them.
Should I have to cover or remove them? Ask for permission to wear them as an example of my past mistakes(SO many tied to this one tattoo)

Damn this is an interesting topic - i say it's your skin do what you want, just show some courtesy and ask before you plagarize