injured my hand and thoughts about copyright etc.

Hi there!
I've injured my right hand (my thumb, as I wrote in some of my latest deviations' descriptions), so the doctor said not to use it much. So since I already use my hand in daily life, I try to avoid drawing and handwriting completely. So much for my daily drawing challenge! But I want to try other means of creating art, like with my fingertips only or with my left hand or digitally with the mouse or touchpad... But this won't happen on a daily basis, sorry!

Also, because it came up in a journal of an artist I'm following, I started researching about legal aspects of selling artworks. I think this is really interesting because I wish I could sell my fanarts since they gain more attention than most of my other artworks (especially on my facebook page). But I will firmly stand my ground on respecting the original artworks copyrights (like the photographer who took the picture of Peter Dinklage (Peter Dinklage himself would probably be considered a person of public interest ("Person der Zeitgeschichte" in German), so he might not claim rights on images of his face )). It's just really hard considering that almost everyone else sells fanart, probably infringing on someone's copyrights.

Here's another interesting article about the topic: The Truth About Selling FanartUpdate notice as of January 17, 2013: I have given this guide a MAJOR overhaul. It was originally written over a year and a half ago, and since then my own views and understanding of copyrights has changed. I felt that this guide should reflect those changes, so if you read this guide in the past, please take a moment to look through it again as I have added MANY new topics, information, and sources. Unlike my first draft, I have also changed my viewpoint to neutral throughout this writing.
Update notice as of July 17th, 2015: Check out DeviantArt's new article on art theft, fanart, copyrights, and other relevant topics! http://protectart.deviantart.com/journal/The-Art-Theft-Discussion-544490149
Update notice as of January 19th, 2019: Very small language adjustments to reduce the accusatory tone. Clarified statements that previously implied verdicts of illegality (example: statements such as "this is illegal" have been modified to "this is potentially infringing").

I'd be interested to see someone write these things up for German law, but I think I've got a pretty good idea about it. My husband is quite knowledgeable in legal topics

Anyway, hope you have a nice day!
Stéphanie