You need a copyright attorney to research whether Auden's poems are in the public domain. He died in 1972. Depending on whether copyright notice...

What if I combine other peoples images to the original and make the image unrecognizable then what?

If your plan is to publicly display your drawings or to make money, somehow, by using the "new character" you intend to create then you need to...

So even if I draw this people they still own the image that I have drew?

Your questions are far too vague to have any meaningful answers. I don't know, for example, what you mean when you say you "create new characters...

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If I create a theme for Firefox using the logo of a Pro sports theme, which is offered free to use, can I request a donation ?

You're operating under the false impression that the sports team logo is "offered free to use." Perhaps, just perhaps, the team permits the...

Now, what if I hired a lookalike of the image that I want to use their images to create a new character.

You clearly have some plain in mind that's not coming across in your question. Your question seems to be implying that you want to hire...

What are the Copyright laws and what does public domain protect?

Ms Koslyn's answer is spot on. Think of it this way: your book would not make any sense, or have much commercial value, were it not for the...

Is it illegal to perform part of a musical?

I ran across a useful resource to assist in tracking down the rights owners to plays: http://bit.ly/9N554

Can you sell a altered version of a card game that already existed ?

If you're talking about card games played with a normal 52 card deck that everyone and their brother has in a kitchen drawer somewhere, then you...

I filed a trademark application, is there a form to get an extension of time to respond to the USPTO

As noted, you're obligated to file your response within the six month period. If you don't timely file your response, some or all parts of your...

Is it illegal to perform part of a musical?

It's unlawful to perform parts of musicals in public without a license from the play's copyright owner and from the copyright owner(s) of the...