Legal Question in Technology Law in Texas

Re: copyright law

The knee-jerk reaction is that you would infringe the right of reproduction, and the method of reproduction (drawing or painting or photocopying) does not matter. But the photograph author's exclusive right of reproduction is subject to other limitations, such as the "fair use" exception in Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Depending on the purpose for drawing or painting the photo, the act of reproduction could be a non-infringing fair use. Check with a lawyer -- or look up Section 107 at http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00000107----000-.html and see how close you come before hiring a lawyer.