Guide · updated 14 October 2026
Is the Rider–Waite tarot deck in the public domain?
The original 1909 Rider–Waite–Smith designs, drawn by Pamela Colman Smith, are widely treated as public domain: in the United States, and since 2022 in countries with a life-plus-70-years term, because Smith died in 1951. Later editions can carry their own rights (U.S. Games Systems' 1971 recolouring, for example), and “Rider-Waite” is used as a brand name, so build on the 1909 originals and don't present your deck as the branded one.
What Kinarcana does
Kinarcana uses no scans of any published deck. It describes each 1909 composition in its own words, ChatGPT makes a new picture from that description, and every figure is fully clothed (six of the 1909 cards show nudity).
Kinarcana credits Pamela Colman Smith and keeps “Rider-Waite” out of its name.
In short
| Thing | Status (general information, not legal advice) |
|---|---|
| Pamela Colman Smith's 1909 drawings | Public domain in the US; public domain since 2022 in life + 70 countries |
| The card compositions and symbols | Free to restage in your own artwork |
| Later recoloured or retouched editions (e.g. 1971) | May carry their own rights; don't copy their scans |
| The name “Rider-Waite” | Used as a brand by its publisher; avoid it in product names |
Use it in ChatGPT
Kinarcana is a ChatGPT plugin. Try saying:
- “Make me a tarot deck with me as every card. Start with The Fool.”
- “Put my partner and me on The Lovers card, in the style of an old woodcut.”
- “Draw my Kinarcana card for today.”
Questions
- Can I sell a deck based on the Rider–Waite–Smith cards?
- Decks based on the 1909 designs are sold widely. Use the 1909 originals or your own new art, not a later edition's scans, and don't use the brand name. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Who drew the Rider–Waite tarot?
- Pamela Colman Smith drew all 78 cards in 1909, working with Arthur Edward Waite; the deck was published by William Rider & Son.
More guides: How to make your own tarot deck with ChatGPT · The 22 Major Arcana cards in order · How to print your own tarot deck · Tarot card size and print specs · A daily tarot card for reflection