[thelist] Ethical issues concerning re-use (and heavy modification) of images

[Rachel Cunliffe]

Wow - I have thought about this also.  What about finding an image (say, a
map or a common object) via good old google, and then tracing the outline by
hand using a pencil/pen tool? Once I've got my outline, I modify it, color
it etc.  Does this mean I'm in breach of someone's copyright?

<snip>
At what point (if ever) does a derivative work free itself from copyright
restrictions of the original?
</snip>