On 8/19/07, SPUI drspui@gmail.com wrote:
Am I missing something here? Redrawing a copyrighted image does not make it free, and works of states are copyrighted by default. How are we supposed to get a free image? It's like getting a free image of Mickey Mouse.
Yes, if the seals are subject to copyright then a drawn copy is also going to be subject to the same copyright.
But the thing with seals and stuff like that is that there are typically many versions made, which eventually go out of copyright. For Australia-relates things, for example, we use the now public domain 1912 version of the coat of arms, which still contains all the same elements (the shield, the wattle branches, the emu and the kangaroo) but is drawn differently.
It should be reasonably practicable for people from these states to find an old version of their state seal on which the copyright has expired. It may involve going to libraries in that state or something, so that's why we have this call for assistance on the list.