copyright

Wednesday Webs: Public Domain Imagery

where to find public domain images

Calisphere, Free Domain

Isn’t this photo great? I found it at Calisphere when I was looking for historical photos listed as public domain.

Here are more organizations offering data from the public domain, meaning no one claims ownership and the items are free to use. Be sure to check for usage limitations. And be sure to give credit to whom credit is due.

Know of any more? Please share!

 

Shame, Shame, Logo Garden

Shutterstock image

The Logo Garden affair is the buzz going around these days.

It’s not a good buzz.

Logo Garden, in its effort to offer “do-it-yourself logos for entrepreneurs,” has apparently copied work created by other designers. It then resells it without the designers’ permission, all for its own profit. And because Logo Garden is a logo warehouse, meaning it resells each icon over and over, it’s reselling these stolen logos to multiples of unsuspecting consumers who think they’re getting a great deal for only $79.

Of course, designers are upset. Big name logo designers like Rock Paper Ink, Prejean Creative and Jeff Fisher LogoMotives have had thousands of logos stolen and they’re taking legal action against Logo Garden owner John Williams. AIGA (formerly an acronym for the American Institute of Graphic Arts), has posted action alerts and other helpful advice for designers here and here.

But what about consumers? Shouldn’t they be upset as well?

You bet they should and here’s why.

When an entrepreneur hires a professional to design his logo, he’s paying for a unique representation of his business. The designer can only do this through extensive interview, research and creative process, all of which the entrepreneur wisely pays for. But not only is he paying for this service, he’s also buying ownership rights to the logo—solely and completely, as his own personal icon. A logo is intellectual property and copyright laws protect this ownership.

When an entrepreneur brands his company, acquiring a logo is only one part of the process. The entrepreneur must then promote that logo and secure it in the minds of his market. He must build a reputation that positively associates the logo to his business. This is branding and it takes great time and effort.

So what happens when a schmuck like John Williams and his Logo Garden comes along?

When Williams steals a designer’s logo, he’s also stealing the intellectual property of the entrepreneur who hired that designer. And when Williams resells that stolen logo, he’s completely destroying the branding work the entrepreneur did to market his business.

Then there’s the unknowing consumer who purchases one of these 10,000 logos supposedly created by John Williams and “his hand-picked team of world-class logo designers.” (Be real, how could anyone and his team create 10,000 original, well-thought and designed logos?)

I’m going to credit these $79 tightwad consumers and say they were unknowing of Logo Garden’s unethical behavior. I’m also going to say they’re unknowing of successful marketing. Obviously, none of them believes their business qualifies for a professional, unique identity.

Anyway, these Logo Garden consumers are possibly setting themselves up for legal action. The great bargain they thought they were getting could very well be the intellectual property of another owner. They may find themselves forced to give it up. Suddenly, that $79 is not such a bargain after all.

Here’s something to think about:

If you’re a professional, you have to look professional. If you have a quality product, you must have a quality look.

Beware of logo warehouses. Don’t shop at Logo Garden.

Shame on you, Logo Garden!

 

Geek Squad vs. God Squad

So, it seems the big, corporate giants are flexing their magnated muscle once again.

Electronics retailer Best Buy recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to a Fond du Lac, Wis, priest concerning his car. At issue is a black Volkswagon Beetle with a “God Squad” logo on the doors. The logo mimics the corporate logo used by Best Buy’s troubleshooting team Geek Squad, right down to the same oval shape and quirky fonts.

As Bruce Vielmetti says in his Milwaukee’s Journal Sentinel article: “The young priest’s attempt to add a little fun to his ministry has apparently run afoul of some corporate lawyers who care more about strictly enforcing trademarks than eternal salvation.”

The comments following this online article are interesting as well. For the most part, they criticize Best Buy for its pettiness—Best Buy, a huge industry with Geek Squad VWs zipping around the country, hassles a lowly priest who’s simply trying to further his mission in Christ.

But wait. Is there more to this?

What about copyright infringement and the U.S. law? Doesn’t this apply to religious affiliations as well?

A commenter named CMH2MKE feels it does: “Priests or not, they ripped off someone else’s design. The priests knew exactly what they were doing. Their statement that the car makes people laugh pretty much says they knew the logo looked like Best Buy’s. They can probably continue to call it the “God Squad” but they need to change the logo. Get creative and design something yourself instead of copying.”

As a graphic designer who specializes with churches, I’ve run into this situation as well. Here’s a common example: A church asks me to use another church’s logo and “simply change the name to our church’s name.”

I have to say no. I have to explain why this is wrong.

When creating a logo, a good graphic designer spends many hours studying the client, the market and the target audience. He or she brainstorms concepts and then designs a final product unique to that client. This work is called intellectual property.

When buying this logo, the client is paying for the designer’s time and expertise. He also is buying rights to be the exclusive owner of that logo. These are called copyrights.

Often, as may be the case with the Fond du Lac priest, violation of copyright laws is simply a lack of understanding. Other times, there is an attitude of exception—that because the church’s work is for the Lord, the law does not apply.

A commenter named Vladimir doesn’t agree: “The clergy need to follow the civil laws of our society just like the rest of us. No exceptions.”

What do you think?

Shame on Google

photo credit Debbi Smirnoff
photo credit Debbi Smirnoff

So it seems Google—that search engine magnate labeled the most powerful brand in the world—doesn’t feel the need to compensate its creative talent.

Last week, The New York Times wrote of Google’s invitation to prominent artists to contribute artwork for its new Google Chrome browser.

Compensation? None.

Understandably, many of these artists felt somewhat hung out to dry. And, admirably, as much as they’d love Google’s exposure, many rejected it with outspoken opinions.

How does that relate to us and our work of communicating Christ?

Certainly, it doesn’t, right? After all, our churches don’t have the multi-billion dollar income of Google’s. Nor do we share its wordly mission. The church is excluded from respecting the work of creatives because, after all, it’s for the Lord, right?

Wrong.

God blesses people with creative talents, of which many use  to earn a living. They study their craft and spend great time developing it. Their work, known as intellectual property, deserves respect. God also commands us to respect our nation’s laws and says,  “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men…” (1 Peter 2:13).

Here are a few things to keep in mind as we show Christian respect to creatives and our laws.

  • Graphic design, illustrations, photography, music and written words are all exclusively owned by their creators, including those posted on the Internet. To use them without permission violates the U.S. Copyright Law. It’s stealing.
  • Fair Use, a section of the copyright law, offers a little leeway. However, it’s very ambiguous and contextual, and churches shouldn’t feel it offers complete exemption from the law. Church Marketing Sucks posted an interesting discussion on how it applies to religious organizations.
  • Professionals work hard to create their craft. Just as a church compensates a plumber or electrician, so should it compensate a professional artist.
  • Many professionals donate projects out of love for God and their church. Pro-bono, however, does not mean “no value, no time or no effort.” Creative work can command $50-150/hr., elsewhere. Respect this work. Respect the professional’s time, just as you would someone you were paying.