Photos for signing

[Ghamm71]

Curious I have found lots of photos on the internet that I would like to download and mail out to stars to sign. Is this in violation of any copyright law as there are being used for my own personal collection.
Or is there a good site to visit where I can download photos that I want to print up to send out to be signed.
Thanks in advance-
Ghamm71

[TheCollector]

Hey Ghamm71

For some great places to download photos have a look at this posting on the Collecting Help forum: http://www.fanmail.biz/mboard/viewtopic.php?t=9998

Ian

[Nissaea]

Ghamm71, as far as I am concered I nievly assume that as long as I use it for myself and not with intention to sell for profit then all is good. However you run the risk of the celeb not signing it for their own reasons but several of them do sign them. I wont for sure say yes or no about it being legal as i am not positive on that answer. would love it if someone that did have a legitimate answer to post it as i have wondered the same thing myself.

good luck with your collection! and if you do decide to try the photograph route i've posted up some great sites that provie HQ photos in this thread: http://www.fanmail.biz/mboard/viewtopic.php?t=22514

[cowboys]

I really think that if it is for your own private collection or as a gift for someone then legally it would be fine.

I would imagine that some celebs wouldn't sign certain pictures either for personal reasons (ie if you sent a paparattzi-type pic or something!), or contractual reasons.

If you are really concerned about it, you could just say so in the letter to the celeb in question. For example "Is it okay for me to send this pic to you to sign? I found it on the internet and really like it, but I'm unsure if by doing that it violates any copyright law." Or something like that.

[nowandagain]

So far I've had no problems sending out my own photos printed from the internet to sign

Some celebrities have no problem signing them, but others may not due to contractual reasons.

If celebrities refuse to sign your photos, they may keep (or return) them and send out one of their own.

Good luck!

nowandagain [rockon]

[starreyes]

I don't think it would be illegal, but I am just guessing. I guess it's the same thing like with sheet music or piano scores where you can download and use it for personal use, and teaching, including multiple copies for classroom use, all that stuff. Baisicly as long as you aren't making any money off of it I don't think it would be illegal. So I don't think you can download a picture, make lots of copies, and then make people pay to get them. I'm just guessing though. I'm sure someone knows and would be willing to share their knowledge.