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Participant
June 17, 2023
Answered

albert einsten painting need MODEL RELEASE?

  • June 17, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 334 views

I can't get albert einsten to sign model release, he already dead 68 years ago, that mean no one can submit albert einsten painting, or sketch. I try to submit as property release , but still not accept

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Correct answer Abambo

Yes! People need a model release. Even dead people. That's not specific to Einstein. But in addition, the Einstein image is actively managed.

3 replies

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 17, 2023

Yes! People need a model release. Even dead people. That's not specific to Einstein. But in addition, the Einstein image is actively managed.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
Legend
June 17, 2023

More info from a newspaper article.

This is controversial, but there have been law suits, and lots of money is involved.  Walt Disney Company in 2005 paid $2.66m for a 50-year licence to use the name “Baby Einstein” on its line of infant toys. 

Who owns Einstein? The battle for the world’s most famous face | Advertising | The Guardian

Another nice story...In 1997, the article reports, Apple wanted to advertise Macs with the words "Think different" with a picture of Einstein. The fee quoted was over half a million dollars. Steve Jobs wanted a reduction. The reply was that perhaps Apple might license Mae West instead, she also used to "Think different". Apparently Apple paid.

 

Now... when you contribute stock , you are licensing ALL commercial rights (well not quite all). You are saying in effect, "you can use this image to advertise Mac or create a line of toys". So, could Apple pay Adobe $3 for the rights to your image, you'd get your cut, and would the Einstein license owners say "fine"? Well, that's up to their lawyers. Adobe likes to avoid this sort of trouble, expense and reputational damage.

 

Legend
June 17, 2023

People's image remains a protected, copyright, thing, after their death. You can't just use the images of living OR DEAD people without suitable permissions. The Official Licensing Site of Albert Einstein