[WikiEN-l] State seals and fair use

[Matthew Brown]

On 8/19/07, SPUI <drspui at 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.

I seem to remember that state seals are in fact public domain, and
don't count as other works of the states do.  Also, the vast majority
are old enough for the original approved designs to be out of
copyright in any event.

-Matt