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

[kerstin-orion.livejournal.com]

While it is considered disrespectful or rude by many, it is not illegal for someone to draw art of a non-trademarked character and re-sell it.

I can certainly empathize with your position; it's rather unusual to do 'gift art' of someone's character and then not tell them, then sell it as prints. It would make me a little unsettled, especially if it the content were out-of-character and they were linking the image back to my account or some such. I think at the least, I'd ask to have the link back to me removed.

Now, I have seen this sort of thing happen in a harassment context. And if that happens, I'd contact the moderators of the art site on which the image is posted.

[stina paulin højgaard (from livejournal.com)]

Ahh the print in question was sold at an art stand in her country. My friend actually made the artwork as a gift for me to cheer me up after a hard few months. And I know she would go into a rage if her character was taken and used in any way or sold of so I find it highly hypocritical from her side to sell off a picture she drew for me.

But I did kindly ask her to please ask me in the future as this character of mine is part of who I am to be honest and I put a lot of myself into it, and she told me she wouldn't sell it again.

But it's good to know where things stand legally. Thank you for your reply :)