Copyright Laws...

Pheebs · 23-10-2008, 10:55

... I am sure I swotted up on all of this last year but this area started to fade a bit and I just thought I would ask you peoples your opinions.

Some of my work is representative of TV/film, like the below:

Am I right in thinking that because it is my own drawing and interpretation, I could have it published without the worry of treading on anyones toes copyright wise?

leowyatt · 23-10-2008, 10:56

It was my understanding that if the object you are portraying is copyrighted then you can't

Not sure if those are, I know Apple had some barney with a company using a similar logo.

Pheebs · 23-10-2008, 10:59

I thought that but I recall somewhere something about if it's your interpretation then you're okay...

Like tv spoofs and things (though now I'm thinking they have some contractual agreement with companies in order to do so...)

Argh!!

*goes off to dig out copyright laws again*

Desmo · 23-10-2008, 11:01

It's going to be a minefield in my opinion. If I drew a picture that were clearly Star Wars characters and printed them on to t-shirts, I'd expect my arse to be sued. The fact that I created my interpretation of the picture is irrelevant. Of course, I could be talking complete bollocks as I don't actually know for sure.

Pheebs · 23-10-2008, 11:06

Just called up the gov IP people and the first lady I spoke to said it was fine although she's now referred me to a specific department and I'm being called back.

The example I gave her was "If I have drawn a poster full of stickmen and each stickmen had references to different films ie Star Wars, Aliens, BFG, James Bond etc would I be infringing copyrights or not?"

*hmmm*

Not convinced. I'll wait for a call back and let you's know

Pheebs · 23-10-2008, 11:09

Weenicons do what I'm wondering about - they have TONNES of stuff like this baywatch one for sale in a variety of stores:

and Jules and Vince:

*wonders how they've got round it all*

divine · 23-10-2008, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pheebs

*wonders how they've got round it all*

Could always just email and ask, worst that'll happen is they'll just not reply, best scenario they'll tell you how it all works

Matblack · 23-10-2008, 11:12

Its very dubious ground, there are exceptions to copyright under 'parody' from what I can make out so you might get away with it but its hard to decern and it would appear that these cases often go to court to get solved. I would speak to your publisher/ distributor about whether what you have done there is acceptable. I would say that with a brand like Doctor Who the BBC would be very keen to protect their copywrite and might consult a lawyer. If you we're doing it for profit and purely as a comedy exercise you'd probably get away with it.

MB

Pheebs · 23-10-2008, 11:13

I know their representatives fairly well (Urban Graphics). To be honest I'm still holding out hope that I can break my work into their webby/under their belt so don't feel it's right to go asking questions that will probably seem stupidly daft to them

Thanks MB for your insight!

As for publisher... currently I am the publisher

Slight problem there! Hehehee!

It's not a major issue as most of my work is of my own entirely - it's only the odd exception like above. I've had some GENIUS ideas lately though (well I say lately - it's been something I have been wanting to do since I was about 16! Well I did do it but it wasn't to the 1337 standard it could be and I believe my friend still has it

) and it would be stepping on about at least 200 films/tv people all in one picture. Which... is why I'm curious!

Matblack · 23-10-2008, 11:19

Very interesting

I notice that the Weenicons make no direct reference to source in fact they go out of their way not to. See the actual card names?

There is one thing in your picture which makes a direct reference which might be contentious IMO and thats the lettering on K9 which directly links to the copywriten character rather than represents it and allow for personal interpretation.

Also shouldn't that be Tom Baker, who did after all spend a lot more time with K9 and is easier to represent

MB

23-10-2008, 10:55	#1
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Copyright Laws... ... I am sure I swotted up on all of this last year but this area started to fade a bit and I just thought I would ask you peoples your opinions. Some of my work is representative of TV/film, like the below: Am I right in thinking that because it is my own drawing and interpretation, I could have it published without the worry of treading on anyones toes copyright wise? __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

23-10-2008, 10:56	#2
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	It was my understanding that if the object you are portraying is copyrighted then you can't Not sure if those are, I know Apple had some barney with a company using a similar logo. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

23-10-2008, 10:59	#3
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	I thought that but I recall somewhere something about if it's your interpretation then you're okay... Like tv spoofs and things (though now I'm thinking they have some contractual agreement with companies in order to do so...) Argh!! goes off to dig out copyright laws again __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

23-10-2008, 11:01	#4
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	It's going to be a minefield in my opinion. If I drew a picture that were clearly Star Wars characters and printed them on to t-shirts, I'd expect my arse to be sued. The fact that I created my interpretation of the picture is irrelevant. Of course, I could be talking complete bollocks as I don't actually know for sure. __________________

23-10-2008, 11:06	#5
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Just called up the gov IP people and the first lady I spoke to said it was fine although she's now referred me to a specific department and I'm being called back. The example I gave her was "If I have drawn a poster full of stickmen and each stickmen had references to different films ie Star Wars, Aliens, BFG, James Bond etc would I be infringing copyrights or not?" hmmm Not convinced. I'll wait for a call back and let you's know __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

23-10-2008, 11:09	#6
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Weenicons do what I'm wondering about - they have TONNES of stuff like this baywatch one for sale in a variety of stores: and Jules and Vince: wonders how they've got round it all __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

23-10-2008, 11:12	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Its very dubious ground, there are exceptions to copyright under 'parody' from what I can make out so you might get away with it but its hard to decern and it would appear that these cases often go to court to get solved. I would speak to your publisher/ distributor about whether what you have done there is acceptable. I would say that with a brand like Doctor Who the BBC would be very keen to protect their copywrite and might consult a lawyer. If you we're doing it for profit and purely as a comedy exercise you'd probably get away with it. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

23-10-2008, 11:13	#9
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	I know their representatives fairly well (Urban Graphics). To be honest I'm still holding out hope that I can break my work into their webby/under their belt so don't feel it's right to go asking questions that will probably seem stupidly daft to them Thanks MB for your insight! As for publisher... currently I am the publisher Slight problem there! Hehehee! It's not a major issue as most of my work is of my own entirely - it's only the odd exception like above. I've had some GENIUS ideas lately though (well I say lately - it's been something I have been wanting to do since I was about 16! Well I did do it but it wasn't to the 1337 standard it could be and I believe my friend still has it ) and it would be stepping on about at least 200 films/tv people all in one picture. Which... is why I'm curious! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk Last edited by Pheebs; 23-10-2008 at 11:17.

23-10-2008, 11:19	#10
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Very interesting I notice that the Weenicons make no direct reference to source in fact they go out of their way not to. See the actual card names? There is one thing in your picture which makes a direct reference which might be contentious IMO and thats the lettering on K9 which directly links to the copywriten character rather than represents it and allow for personal interpretation. Also shouldn't that be Tom Baker, who did after all spend a lot more time with K9 and is easier to represent MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"