How can I make a sculpture substantially different?
<p>A customer showed me an unremarkable angel figurine she had commissioned. Now that I've seen it, is it possible for me to make her another angel that is not derivative?</p>
<p>Two people in the shop did not see the original.  If I only give them dimensions, would it be safe to let them do the sculpture?</p>
<p>I know the original artist only by reputation (&quot;unpleasant&quot;, &quot;litigious&quot;).</p>

<h2>There are no copyright issues in making an angel</h2>
<p>Angels have been depicted in art and literature for hundreds of years. What an angel looks like is clearly public domain.</p>
<h2>Making an angel that looks like that angel is a derivative work</h2>
<p>If your angel copies whatever it is that is distinct and unique about the other angel, then that’s making a derivative work and needs permission.</p>
<h2>TL;DR</h2>
<p>Making <em>an</em> angel is not copyright violation. Making <em>that</em> angel is.</p>

copyright intellectual-property derivative-work