Don't release/distribute if it's only for study?

Get someone else to do it?

Find some open source/Free assets that will also do (e.g., try places like Open Game Art)?

If "for study use" means that you do it for learning how to write a game, privately in your dark cellar, and never show it to anyone else, you are probably OK, because nobody will know. However, it's of course still illegal.

I'm not sure that's an "of course" - this would depend on the specific countries laws.

Yes for example in the UK up until recently, any copy, even without distribution, was a violation, though then again, this made it illegal in the same way that anyone copying a CD they bought to their computer or mp3 player was also technically breaking the law. I believe the law has been changed now (or will be).

In the US, I would have thought fair use would be the thing to be looking at - though as you say, it's academic anyway if it's never released.

B) So... i can go to my local court and TRY to sue... lets say Relic Studio, because they have similar artwork to what i made when i was 5. And then they are obligated to come to my place...[/quote]

You could of course do that. However suing someone costs money: court fees, filing fees, legal fees..... So unless you were pretty sure you'd win, that would be an expensive undertaking to do properly. And of course, you run the risk of the suit getting thrown out if it's particularly bogus.
But what you were describing (directly taking copyrighted artwork and using it) won't be thrown out as a bogus suit.

Now to be fair--once in a while someone does something interesting that is also blatantly a copyright violation. Something interesting enough that the company owing the property takes notice and things sort of work out.
One example of this was the original iPhone "lightsabre" app, that used clearly copyrighted sounds, owned by Lucas. Rather than take the app off the store, Lucas made them change it into a promotion for an upcoming star wars game.

But to be clear, Lucasfilm was holding all the cards in that one. They could have just as easily said "take it down, and by the way, here's a bill for using our IP"

You might feel like reading this article: International Copyright

Now, you may be able to do it and think you've gotten away with it, but as the internet grows, the world becomes a much smaller place. If you think you're protected from prosecution due to being in a different country, you're wrong.

As the article states, many countries have agreements to pursue copyright infractions from other countries.

All that really means that even if your country isn't that big on enforcing copyright law, they may be forced to pursue a debt from outside the country or allow a company from outside the country to pursue the debt within their country. This would not be limited to just sending bills and effecting credit; it could come with garnishing pay, freezing accounts, and taking possession of personal property to be sold to pay the debt.

Its a slippery slope you're trying to ice-skate up.
All I suggest is don't chance it. Besides, people won't take your game seriously if you steal assets from other people rather than making something of your own.

Didn't mean to be a downer, but come on guy! Its not that tough to just take some time and do it yourself!