Origami Models and Auctions

[dinogami]

I know that it's illegal (and unethical) to fold other peoples' models and sell them for a profit, but what are the laws (and ethics) about folding such models for an auction for a non-profit organization?

[andssl]

Genearally, copyright law does not make this difference: even in this case the author's authorization is needed.

See here:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/overview.html

This is an international treaty about copyright law that countries follow in general.

[origamimasterjared]

Technically, there is no difference. However, you are more likely to get the artist to grant permission and not ask for a cut of the money.

[phoenyx]

yeah probably the same... if thats what you want to do, you should make your own models, and they should be big, complex, and neat.

[Ben385]

you should make your own models, and they should be big, complex, and neat.

Woah.

Did I hear that correctly?
Neat= yes, of course I agree.

Big= Maybe, but small can be beautiful. I find micro-folding very appealing really.

Complex= I'm sorry, but I can't agree with that. Take for example the work of Giang Dinh; I would really call his work beautiful. But does it have a million folds like the Ancient Dragon? Definitely not!

Beauty can be found in complexity, but also simplicity.

[kevin89]

Beauty can be found in complexity, but also simplicity.

I agree. sometimes the most beautiful things are the most simple.

[steingar]

I know that it's illegal (and unethical) to fold other peoples' models and sell them for a profit, but what are the laws (and ethics) about folding such models for an auction for a non-profit organization?

May be unethical to sell other people's designs, but it is not illegal in any way I know, as least in the US. I outlined my reasoning in another thread about the same subject.