Recreating a prop, that just happens to be priceless art.

[Rhett J Martin]

Okay, here's the prop ethics question of the day.

I'm having fun doing blasters and such, and am realllly enjoying getting back into lightsabers.

But, I'd like to add some 'Ocean's 11, 12, and 13' props to my collection, and am pretty familiar with the usual poker chips available, but I'd like to go a little . . .let's say . .bigger.

I want to build the Fabrege Egg

.

But, as an ex art student who's seen two in person, I fear the following:

Building a Graflex is one thing . . .but an actual work of art?
Am I violating anything beyond intelectual property rights? We all walk the grey here, but could this be slightly more dangerous.

What if it goes really well, and others want a copy? I'm pretty famous for buidling one for myself, and then 50 or so others for everyone else.

Does recreating a work of art start us on a slippery slope? I'm sure their are a few people here who could toss a few Da Vinci Code paintings in the paper prop thread if they wanted.

honestly, I may be over-reacting . . .but I've been thinking about it enough to ask the question.

So . . . tell me what you think!

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I think if you're doing it for your own collection and aren't trying to pass it off as authentic, then you're not doing anything wrong.

 

[Serafino]

I doubt you need to worry. With regard to the original eggs and their 'art' status, the expertise which identifies real Faberge eggs most certainly relies on information which is not in print anywhere.

You couldn't fool one of them if you tried, unless you were a master jeweler yourself and had seen many originals and spent a lot of time with them.

Copies of great art are sold all the time, and not always under license from the owning museum. Some American museums are a bit stupid about this issue and discourage live copying of paintings, for instance, but copies of paintings are a tradition in Europe and allowed in the museums under certain constraints.

The Faberge name is still owned, so you'd get shut down fast if you tried to market something with their name, but you're not likely to end up on their radar IMO. There are already probably other companies selling their own egg designs.

I think Rolex's efforts to protect themselves would give you a good idea what action is likely to be taken and how effective it's likely to be.

Unless Faberge turned out to be the Paramount of the jewelry world I think you'd be fine.

 

[DrStranglove]

I have seen that egg in person. If you can copy it well, I would buy one. But even as gifted as people here tend to be... That is a MASTER WORK, so I would not expect you to be able to do it justice.

No offense intended.

 

[vaderdarth]

Personally, I think this would be a great project. I've often thought about making one for my wife. There is a local jeweler here that sells these things and they are nothing short of phenomenal if you view them in person. They would display beautifully.

Dave

 

[KnightAsylum]

I think you are right, your over-reacting.
It is ALL ART - no difference, and no reason to worry, folks have been "re-creating" art for years.:rolleyes

 

[Apollo]

.

 

[Apollo]

I think you are right, your over-reacting.
It is ALL ART - no difference, and no reason to worry, folks have been "re-creating" art for years.:rolleyes

Yeah right!

Tell that to Uncle George and AA! :lol

As far as the egg goes, unless you start doing runs of them I think you are pretty safe.

 

[Rhett J Martin]

I really apprciate the opinions. Thanks guys.

I have seen that egg in person. If you can copy it well, I would buy one. But even as gifted as people here tend to be... That is a MASTER WORK, so I would not expect you to be able to do it justice.

No offense intended.

Uh-oh . . .that sounds like a challenge!!!!!:lol

 

[Darth Lars]

There already exist licensed replicas, of a sort.
Farbergé sells pricy christmas tree decorations, shaped and decorated as Fabergé eggs. I don't know if they are replicas of actual eggs, though.

 

[IFA]

Hi,

In my opinion, if you want to make one, you can. If you want to make a run, you can.
Real Faberge Egg collectors (and there are few who really know) will make the difference....and certainly fast.
If you don't want any problems, you can change just a tiny detail on the piece which will avoid to authenticate your Egg as a real Faberge but just as an imitation.

FRED

 

[KnightAsylum]

Yeah right! Tell that to Uncle George and AA! :lol

Just don't lie and say you helped create the original egg and therefore you get some rights to sell it for years publicly it and you will be fine:rolleyes

ALSO I think you are safe, Unlike George the original creator will not be coming after you:eek

 

[KnightAsylum]

... If you don't want any problems, you can change just a tiny detail on the piece which will avoid to authenticate your Egg as a real Faberge but just as an imitation.FRED

I would think that with only 69 known Fabergé eggs, and with only 61 having survived to the present day , with the vast majority of them being stored in public museums, with the greatest number (30) in Russia, that really you should not worry too much about someone mistaking your run for the real thing. Regardless of quality of casting, it just seems like an unrealistic worry to me.2 cents

 

[DrStranglove]

I really apprciate the opinions. Thanks guys.





Uh-oh . . .that sounds like a challenge!!!!!:lol

And it was good sir!! So to the work bench with you!!!! Make me my egg!!!!!

 

[Harmonic_Distortion]

Not sure if you want a lawyer's point of view, but here goes: do it but be careful.

It's a myth that as long as you're creating something for free it's ok. It's not. While that does factor into the damages side of things, the key term you're looking for is derivative. If something is over 75% derivative then you begin to have a problem.

Now the real question is, who would find out? If you dont think anyone in the Faberge organization would ever find out - go for it. If you dont think you'll be a blip on their radar, go for it. If you somehow have some mystic connection to their trade, avoid it.

BTW, I'm saying this as a private citizen - not anyone's lawyer.