Copyright Strangling Art

I often use 'found images' in my work, but these days I'm so concerned about copyright that I tend not to. Since reading 'Copycat Commandos ' in The Age newspaper, which addresses 'fair use' issues in art, I'm questioning my neglect of an important creative outlet. Imagine - Francis Bacon being sued for copyright breach of Velazquez in his painting 'Screaming Pope' ! Laughable? Maybe, but the John Cage trust is laughing all the way to the bank after composer Mike Batt's court case over his piece 'A One Minute Silence'. Does the Cage Trust how hold copyright over silences? Shall memorial services now all pay a commission for holding a minute's silence? If Andy Warhol was working today, I wonder if much of his famous work would have ever been produced. Or perhaps he would have thumbed his nose at the establishment and gone ahead anyway.
Heck, I think I might go make some collage. But I'll take out litigation insurance first.

More:
Find out about copyright issues that you need to be aware of.
Read about copyright and derivative art.