Today, you will create a work that explains how copyright law should be followed.
Here is a bank of items:
the name NIKE
the song, "Wrecking Ball"
The Dallas Cowboys star
The word, "Sprite"
The word "Snickers"
Create a one slide logo or ad in Photoshop using your chosen item. Use it in a way that does NOT violate copyright law. Your final product should be something you can sell, a poster, an ad for a new product. What makes it safe in the copyright world?
One common tactic copyright holders use is the threat that your use of their name or logo causes confusion. is the way you are using these names or logos confusing to the public? The company will send a cease-and-desist letter, which is a legal way of saying stop using our name or logo because you are using it in a way that reflects poorly on us.
Here is one straight-forward situation for a cease-and-desist letter. Rock stars have sent cease-and-desist letters to presidential candidates insisting the candidates stop using their songs without permission:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/politics/music-in-campaigns
Note: Here is one example of how a major company sent a cease-and-desist letter to a small beer maker in Missouri, and the clever way the pub responded:
http://www.kshb.com/dpp/money/business_news/st-louis-pub-owner-sends-sarcastic-letter-to-starbucks-over-frappuccino-beer-flap
Do you need to change the item in order to use it?
1. Start by doing research on the item. Go to the Cowboys website and see if you can find the copyright logo and language explaining allowable use of the item. Look on google images for their logo.
2. Ask yourself this question. Does the word "star" original? Was it made up by the Dallas Cowboys? Or is it a common word? Is the symbol of a star original? What part of the image or icon has to be present to be something you can copyright?
3. How can I use it in a new context? What if I had "Star Seafood" in Florida, and I used a different font than the Cowboys and made the star orange? Can the Cowboys claim I am causing confusion?
Now, back to the original assignment. Take something else off the list, or the name and remake it. Use it in a way that is legal under copyright law.
Refer to the PowerPoint slide show on copyright rules on this blog, dated January 14th if you forgot parts of copyright law.
Here is a bank of items:
the name NIKE
the song, "Wrecking Ball"
The Dallas Cowboys star
The word, "Sprite"
The word "Snickers"
Create a one slide logo or ad in Photoshop using your chosen item. Use it in a way that does NOT violate copyright law. Your final product should be something you can sell, a poster, an ad for a new product. What makes it safe in the copyright world?
One common tactic copyright holders use is the threat that your use of their name or logo causes confusion. is the way you are using these names or logos confusing to the public? The company will send a cease-and-desist letter, which is a legal way of saying stop using our name or logo because you are using it in a way that reflects poorly on us.
Here is one straight-forward situation for a cease-and-desist letter. Rock stars have sent cease-and-desist letters to presidential candidates insisting the candidates stop using their songs without permission:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/16/politics/music-in-campaigns
Note: Here is one example of how a major company sent a cease-and-desist letter to a small beer maker in Missouri, and the clever way the pub responded:
http://www.kshb.com/dpp/money/business_news/st-louis-pub-owner-sends-sarcastic-letter-to-starbucks-over-frappuccino-beer-flap
Do you need to change the item in order to use it?
1. Start by doing research on the item. Go to the Cowboys website and see if you can find the copyright logo and language explaining allowable use of the item. Look on google images for their logo.
2. Ask yourself this question. Does the word "star" original? Was it made up by the Dallas Cowboys? Or is it a common word? Is the symbol of a star original? What part of the image or icon has to be present to be something you can copyright?
3. How can I use it in a new context? What if I had "Star Seafood" in Florida, and I used a different font than the Cowboys and made the star orange? Can the Cowboys claim I am causing confusion?
Now, back to the original assignment. Take something else off the list, or the name and remake it. Use it in a way that is legal under copyright law.
Refer to the PowerPoint slide show on copyright rules on this blog, dated January 14th if you forgot parts of copyright law.