Can I use these graphics in my for sale artwork?

Hi everyone,





I'd like to use Mexican loteria graphics and images of Catholic saints in my for sale artwork. Does anyone know how I can find out whether I can do this or not? I'm worried about infringing on copyrights. I've seen a bunch of other artwork that uses these these types of images but I just want to be able to check somewhere to make sure it would be ok to do this.





Thanks for any help!Can I use these graphics in my for sale artwork?
You may have to distinguish from copies made of someone else's artwork, and original artwork of the same type.





For instance, no one can own the copyrights of the Virgen de Guadalupe, but if someone created his own image of the Virgin, that artist would own the rights to THAT image.





As far as the symbols of Loteria cards go, I couldn't tell you if those particuar ones you've seen are still owned by anyone, but, nothing prevents you from creating your own. Nothing can stop you from drawing a new version of ';La Rana,'; or ';El Guapo,'; since, the words, simply, mean, ';The Frog,'; and ';The Dude.'; No one can copyright the pose, or, even the colors used. As long as you don't try to make exact copies of the traditional images, you should be safe.





As I recal, images of ';El Guapo,'; for instance, showed a man dressed in what appears to be a ';zoot suit,'; which was created in the 1940's. That makes that particular image about 70 years old. Assuming that it was originally copyrighted under US laws, (and that is not a sure thing that it was) with renewals, the image may still be copyright protected.





Keep in mind that I am not sure of any of the details regarding Loteria images.





Create some new ones, register the copyrights to your artwork and I can wish you luck with publishing a brand new set of cards for this popular game.