Drawing Caricatures & Selling It
Humans often draw cartoon like characters that represents key people in the media or history, these drawings are known as 'Caricatures'. Is it legal for an artist to Draw Caricatures of a celebrity, sell it and not be expected to pay any kind of royalty fee to the celebrity? Does the artist have the freedom to draw whatsoever he / she wishes even if it may degrade the celebrity? Can the celebrity sue the artist even if the Caricature is done in good taste?
In my opinion, I think that artists should have every right to depict an actor in an amusing light. They are in the public light, to entertain the public and should expect to have someone draw a picture of them. Besides, its not a real likeness of the, its a caricature, and thus not a real depiction to be taken seriously. Just my opinion of course, I have a slight lean against those with tons of money getting upset and sueing about small things. Caricatures do not hurt anyone.
I do not know if I could do this as a livelihood. For one thing there would be too much thought about where to 'draw the line' and I am sure there will be pressure to pass it constantly. The other reason this would be difficult for me is the idea of making fun of other people's grief. Sometimes innocent people become the object of ridicule for no apparent or concrete reason - I could not stand knowing that I would be part of the blame for that.
I think cartoons and caricatures are legitimate to represent and satirize wethever they want. If their content hurts any basic rule of society or disrespects the law, then its author may have to pay the price.
Pay to whom is portrayed in a caricature or cartoon would mean that society had lost is sense of humor and the sense that money isn't everything. One day we would have to pay just for looking at a celebrity that passed by us in the street.
Name: Flabulous
Country:
Comments: The Dutch guy who was making fun of the Muslims prophet for profit went way overboard. The response of the Muslims were way overboard too but we have to look at who started it. Caricatures can be entertaining but there needs to be a line you do not cross and religion is one of those lines you just do not cross.
Personally, I think that it is the artist's right to draw what ever he/ she wishes. It is our right to put any image, pleasing or displeasing, amusing or defamatory to paper. However, it is not our right to display it to the public without the expressed permission of all those concerned. Caricatures might not be an exact likeness of the person depicted, but in most instances everyone is aware of the intent and the subject.
Caricatures just like words can be used to bring smiles to faces or hurt someone. It is used mostly to embarrass someone politically but the tactic is very childlike, similar to how school yard bullies constantly jeer someone they don't like.
I agree with Walter. The end result is to make money from making people laugh at the expense of someone. Its not actual news yet its shown in news magazines and papers.