Advice - Selling prints of Commissioned pieces

[quescostumes.livejournal.com]

I've recently heard of an artist who is selling prints that contains other people's characters. The art and style is her own, and the art with characters are either gifts or commissions. The prints for sale include the original piece uploaded to art sites, without any recoloring or hiding others' characters. Should people buy these prints, it's basically making money off of others' designs, right?

It's not okay, right? Is it legal? Rude? Or just frowned upon?

How should someone handle this kind of situation if the artist in question is a friend?

Any advice, A_B?

Edit: Thanks everyone for your very useful replies! :)

Comments

[redregon.livejournal.com]

That would have been an empty threat. even IP laws only pertain to the actual product featuring them and not just the concept. chances are they would have probably caught you on a breach of contract violation as opposed to an actual trademark infringement charge.

an intellectual property isn't something that resides in the intellect, it's a property that doesn't usually have a tangible, real-world component to it (such as software, video games, etc.)