Where's Johnny Cash

[Jeremy]

I'm rather bemused by this thread because I cannot figure out what damages the original artist could possibly sue for. Unless you are 'passing-off' the recreation, or otherwise trying to make money out of it, I struggle to see any likelyhood of getting sued by the original rights-holder, even in a clear-cut case (exact reproduction of a work with unambiguous ownership). As an example, there are thousands of replicas running around of famous cars used in movies - General Lees, Bullitt & Eleanor Mustangs, Mad Max Interceptors, Herbies, Kowalski Chargers, S&H Tornios etc etc. In each of those cases the original copyright is presumably owned by huge and litigious movie corporations, but I've never once heard of the builder of such a replica getting sued - unless for example they tried to sell their car as being genuine.

Jeremy

[circusboy90210]

Much to  do about nothing.

[HighTechRedneck]

True, this thread expanded into a broader discussion of copyrights on creative artwork.  With regard to the Johnny Cash bus, like I mentioned before, since it appears it is just basic colors and wide band stripes I doubt there is any risk for an individual copying it to their bus.  At first glance it looked like a mural on the side but on closer inspection it looks like a reflection of something nearby. 

Copying unique creative works is what would get more risky.  Still I would agree a suit is unlikely.  Just like it is unlikely that a music label will choose you to make an example out of you for downloading unlicensed music downloads.  But when they do ...

Also, if a person is considering copying a unique creative work without permission, like buswarrior point out,  whether you get caught and challenged or not, it is a moral issue as well.