Actually I don't know if you need permission to make prints or not. The museum that owns the painting might have some rights to the selling of an image of the original but pretty sure that with the Masters there are no laws about replicating the work. If you replicated the painting and tried to pass it off as the real thing, then you would be breaking the law but that would be fraud or some similar charge that would get you arrested.

Like Billy I would never reproduce a Muppet and sell it but from a legal standpoint I know the builder is covered. I have actually met one of his customers. They where just a big fan of the Muppets and wanted something on their "mantle" to show their love for them. I guess that is much like someone who would want to buy a copy or print of a "work of art".

I suppose it depends on whether or not certain designs are in the public domain.

Like I said, for me it's a fine line.

http://www.vaultofpuppets.com/replica_gallery.html
did you look to this.. They aren't using the muppets names so that is a difference

This is indefinately copyright infringement and ebay only have the power to ban the user, but then they can simply create another account which is what they are doing. If you notice they are very clever in the fact that they only ever give their email address, no telephone number or address. They know full well they are indulging in criminal behaviour and are very aware of protecting their identitys. That aside you can only admire their work, it is a shame they do not concentrate on creating their own style.

You can get exact replicas from the original Muppet patterns for Muppet Photo Puppets and it is all legal with Disney's approval.  They can not be used as puppets but are made by the exact same patterns that the Henson Company used to make there's.  They are fully possable and are released in limited editions.  You can so far get Kermit, Animal and Gonzo.  Next to be released is Fozzie Bear and hopefully a Miss Piggy.  After that they will decide what and when.  I so far have them all and they are really well made.  Some of the materials where altered so that they don't deterate with time.  The quality and skill in making them are well done.  The photo's on Master Replica's web site does not do them justice, you need to own one to appreciate how they look.

Here is the link to the website http://masterreplicas.com/store/muppets/muppets/

It looks like Kermit the Frog is sold out.

Daryl H

Well, it seems Disney is doing something about this issue:

http://www.puppetvision.info/2008/11/muppet-replica-lawsuit.html

and the site I originally posted about is getting sued

Wow.

Daryl H

Yep.... not surprising. I get about 10 hits per day from people also looking for avenue q replicas or muppet replicas. I guess with the rise of ebay etc it was bound to happen that someone was going to get sued

This person has gone thru the courts about his or her right to make replicas and has instructed me that what they are doing although some may feel morally wrong, is absolutley legal.
This falls under a category of a artist interpretation of anothers work.

In the United States copyright law, there is no "artist's interpretation" clause.  And really, look at those puppets. Those aren't interpretations.  Those are copies.

is one of the 'company' that illegaly sells replicas and creates new ebay accounts the 'vault of puppets'? I saw their, I think, new account (with 0 finished auctions so far) on ebay yesterday.

btw - my statement to the replicas is that I do not condemn making them for ourselves and I don't see anything wrong in it..., but selling them for profit - assertively.