What's the What is the policy on celebrity inspired skins/shapes etc?

Not sure what section to put this question in, so apologies if I'm in the wrong forum section.

I am wondering what the policy is on creating and sellin an avatar based on a celebrity (skin, shape, etc). I've seen other people do it, so obviously it's allowed, but are there any clear rules as to what can/can't be done/advertised etc?

Thanks.

Just because it's being done, doesn't necessarily mean it's allowed. There a definite laws concerning celebrity likenesses that vary from state to state or country to country.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0HMU/is_9_28/ai_78539043/

In general, IF you were to do such a thing, the only person who could cause any real trouble for you would be whoever holds the rights to that particular persons image.

Brenda is absolutely correct. I'll add that LL keeps tightening the rules concerning intellectual property rights, so I wouldn't be surprised if they chose to explicitly prohibit such likenesses in the future.

They always look ugly in the end anyways, because either:
- Their RL counterpart is ugly
- Or they look nothing like the counterpart
There's no point doing something like that, this is SL, why import RL appearances that has nothing to do with anyone? Oo

That would pretty much put Body Doubles out of business.

A real person or someone notable at least "owns" their image. It's their creation and they have taken some length to design themslves (or at least their "team" has done so) Please dont assume that just because the public can see you in all your glory, the public can copy you to the last detail and even mold face and body, tats hair and expression to their own self.
Money, time, effort and energy go into the creation of a public "persona" - but that doesn't mean to say it's public "domain".
This kinda issue rankles me just like illegal downloading and skivving off someone else's personal work also does.
So, truly, no it is not allowed in a real sense cos peopel can (and do) own their image, their persona and require a license. Speak to a lawyer (not a forumite sunday lawyer) about copyright infringement for further information on this delicate subject.

But they can, if they are obsessed enough and have enough money for all the surgery - what's to stop them? As long as they don't attempt to pass themselves off as the actual celebrity, I can't see what laws are being broken. As GingerBelle says, this would put all the lookalikes out of business. On a much less extreme level, this is what underpins the fashion industry - people wanting to look like those they admire. Immitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and all that.

As far as avatars go, I can't see a legal problem as long as the actual names of the celebs are not used. For instance, if you created an av based on Victoria Beckham, you might get in trouble if you called it a "Victoria Beckham Avatar", but not if you called it a "Posh Avatar", or even just "Victoria". Those who wanted to look like that would get the reference. It might be different if the av was created from RL images of the celeb and this could be somehow proven, but that's no different from using any other copyrighted image.

Yeah that's the point I'm making. I just havent woken up yet. Taking from a real image and promoting teh name is gonna get a person in trouble.

In the case of Victoria Beckham you could just call her "A right dog" and most people would know who you mean.......No offence to dogs intended.LOL

She's a decent person. No need to disparage her. You wouldnt want someone to say that kinda thing about you.

Woof!

I see you live in Cornwall. So you cant help yourself.

Too true and we also keep our dogs muzzled.LOL

Dont you stand on boxes to get mobile phone coverage?

I can't get any in my house the walls are nearly 3 feet thick .Outside only one network works in my village,just.

One day you'll progress from Flints to bronze. It's an exciting millenium ahead for you!