DSF

I know this has been discussed many times, but I really cant understand how people can use copyright images so blatantly, apparently without any problems.... for example, if you look on various mug sites, the MR MEN range appear to be everywhere.....I would guess these are made and not bought in to re-sell..........? Have all these people applied for a license to produce these, or are they taking a risk, or perhaps these are ok to just produce....! I see sooo many copies, not just online, but in stores also....it would be soo easy for authorities to stop this, but they don't, so could there be some way of obtaining permision or perhaps a loop hole to print these things?

Hmmmm...

Its a dangerous line you walk. I know from experience, in my wet behind the ears period I dabbled and then got a lawyers letter from a copyright company. I thought at first it was a scam but it turned out to be deadly serious after some rapid checking. I apologised and basically said the amount they wanted to NOT go to court was beyond me anyway. So if they proceeded they would stand a good chance of not getting it anyway and ceased doing anything with a hint of copyright from that moment on.

It was a shame as we did some great items but I guess had it been my property I'd have been mad too!

yeah, i have heard the stories but it seems sooo many are doing it, doesnt it!

I wonder if people do obtain a licence for Mr Men etc?

Nobody obtains licences - if they did it would make the mugs unprofitable. I think you'd be talking mega bucks for the permission then a percentage of the selling price!

Its up to you, stay legal and sell your own designs or flout the law, take a chance and keep looking over your shoulder.

Mr Men is owned by a company called chorion

i have actually approached them asking for permission or details about a licence and am yet to hear back

I applied for a license (not Mr men ) and paid for it, but yes it does make it hard to recoup your losses, because with out it my competition would have reported me as sooner blink, and it would have cost me a lot more in the longer run, I think if your just web based it makes it easier to get away with it, but when your serving the general public you never know when trading standards come in, or who you are serving they could be anyone. I do get a bit annoyed when I see it, but what can you do, I just try to focus and earn a living it hard enough at the present climate so I have my moment of distraction and moan, then it my nose back to the grindstone.

Hi, how do you know what is copyright or not????? ok MR MEN may be copyrighted or not???? how do we know?? & what about things like the olympic ring's, this mager event this just a round the corner as is the wedding????? are these copyrighted?????? is there a copyright list?????.

smitch6;20335 wrote:Mr Men is owned by a company called chorion

i have actually approached them asking for permission or details about a licence and am yet to hear back

Would great to hear the tale as and when you hear back from them..it would give others an understanding and maybe inspire others to go legit!!

jennywren;20336 wrote:I applied for a license (not Mr men ) and paid for it, but yes it does make it hard to recoup your losses, because with out it my competition would have reported me as sooner blink, and it would have cost me a lot more in the longer run, I think if your just web based it makes it easier to get away with it, but when your serving the general public you never know when trading standards come in, or who you are serving they could be anyone. I do get a bit annoyed when I see it, but what can you do, I just try to focus and earn a living it hard enough at the present climate so I have my moment of distraction and moan, then it my nose back to the grindstone.

Could I be cheeky and ask how easy/complicated it was, and rough ballpark figures, as I have nooo idea of the costs/process involved!

Gordon;20338 wrote:Hi, how do you know what is copyright or not????? ok MR MEN may be copyrighted or not???? how do we know?? & what about things like the olympic ring's, this mager event this just a round the corner as is the wedding????? are these copyrighted?????? is there a copyright list?????.

I agree - I think we assume the major ones are covered but what about alot of the others....would be handy if there's a database!

Most, if not all images out there have a copyright on them.

Why not try the likes of istockphoto etc, buy the rights to use an image and see how you get on.

As to the Royal Wedding, it's over hyped, most young folks out there are more interested in the next season of x factor than the wedding.

There are strict guidelines about what can and cannot be used, re piccys and text, read something about it in the print and promotion magazine last month, will see if I can find it for you

Here you go, it's on page 4-5 (in case it defaults to the first page)

http://62.128.151.219/A1qgzy/PrintwearJ ... n.co.uk%2F