[Lerchey]

All,

Argh has a lot of good and valid points, but there is one thing that no one has pointed out.

THE FRIEND OF THE ARTIST HAS NO LEGAL STAKE IN THE ARTWORK; DOES NOT OWN IT; AND HAS NOT REPRESENTED THEMSELVES AS A LEGAL AGENT OF THE ARTIST.

Only the artist or someone LEGALLY acting on the artists behalf can sue for copyright infringement. Think about it... I have NO legal ties to Kodak Corporation. Do you think I have ANY legal means to force you NOT to use their logo on your web page? Not a chance. I can tell them that you are doing so, but *I* have no stake in this, and cannot take action myself.

Deathstalker is being completely reasonable in this. Deathstalker, if you are concerned about this, IGNORE the artists "friend" and contact the artist directly. Ask her for permission to use the image, or simply remove it from your site if she says no.

BTW, most corporations, even big ones, will ask you to "cease and desist" before they will sick actual lawyers on your, or try to gain monetary "damages" for infringement.

Don't be worried about it. Just do the right thing and contact the artist.

Col. John