Well, I’m planning to make my parents a doll for Christmas, she’s supposed to be 30-40 cm tall, but my problem is; her body sculpt will be pretty much an u-noa copy, the face will look something like an self styled, older version of Lusis. The thing is I really love the u-noa; the only thing that stops me from buying one is the price and the size. According to the copyrights (or just normal behaviour), what do you think of this? Of course, I’m NOT going to sell the doll, but I feel like I might be breaking some law? (or just being very rude…*sob*)
I took art for GCSE, and I got an E because refused to fulfil the 'inspiration from other artists' criteria. this was basically copying work of other artists. they said in order to do your own art you must have copied other artists work. this bothered me alot. it sounds like you are also bothered by the idea. what i'm trying to say is, in art studies copying is very encouraged..so the only issue is if it bothers you
I think in this case imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Since you love the doll, and can't afford one, you're making one of your own. It's not like a mold-copy of the actual thing. It's more like an 'inspired by' doll. So as long as your family keeps it and loves it, you should be fine!
Many art classes require copying, mostly to learn different brush strokes, pencil strokes,etc. and to learn to work outside your own box. To stretch. I dont think there is ever any problem legally with copying someones work for your own use. It's if you try to sell it and particularly if you try to sell it as an original, that is a problem. But I have taken drawing, enameling silversmithing and all intrusctors want you to copy, at some point in the instruction. Go ahead an make your BJD guilt free. Also you said you want to make an older version not the original itself.
I'm trying to finish by christmas as well. But that's because I have another one I need to have done in Februrary for my little sister, and two dresses to sew and a comic book to write. Not to mention I have no school or work during break, so I SHOULD be able to make alot of progress. When I started out on him, I had all intentions to make him resemble Camine as much as possible. (That's because Camine looked so much like this character I created over a year ago in those body shots where he's got the red eyes in, and I have no idea what I'm doing I swear.) But as I progress I end up straying further away from Camine and being Serina. That and he has horns. But he will have mostly the same dimensions as Camine. I just kinda estimated when I drew the plan up, and so far I've gotten pretty lucky. I just hope his head isn't too big to fit a wig on it.
Thank you all!! I feel a bit better now^-^ I don't know if I can, but I'll do my best, I made the joint, but I guess that’s the easy part=P I'm starting at the lover torso today... how long does it usually take to make a doll?
There is no issue here at all. If you made a mold of a genuine unoa then made one from that, yes, that would be bad. As you are making one simply using unoa as a visual reference, there is no problem. I have done this myself - carving some very Volks-like bodies from wood for my own use. Ken
Otherunicorn is right. There is no copyright issues that should get in the way, even if you wanted to start mass producing the doll you made. I bet you could copy the doll down to every single detail, and have no fear of being sued...But you certainly would run a closer risk if you did that. It probably all has to do with the scale as well. Make it a little bigger or smaller than an actual Unoa, slight differences. That's how a lot of tv shows can have "famous" songs without having to pay to use them - they make the notes slightly different, but not so much that you can't tell what song it's supposed to be...Anyhoo, you're in the clear.
Dude! The joint is the hard part!! It takes me months to sculpt anything... and I am scratching my head about the joints, I can tell you! Good luck, and show us pics when you are done! :-D Raven
Did you make it? Has your doll gotten completed? It is only the first day of Christmas, so you have another twelve if you need them, but it is so exciting to hear about another dollmaker working on her doll. Ann in CT
No, I didn't make it.....=( First of all: because our teachers decided to give us a LOAD of Christmas homework, and second: It was a bit more difficult than I thought I would be Well, I guess the Christmas holidays will give me a good chance of finishing it=D
