Copyright Questions
by Anonymous | Thu, 05/05/2011 - 09:31
Here are some copyright questions that have been asked over the years.
Here are some copyright questions that have been asked over the years.
Can computer generated clip art (from a web site such as Clip Art Gallery) be printed out and used on a 4-H Poster exhibit? The 4H member did not actually create the design.
Yes, if the terms of use and licenses allow it. You need to look at the copyright or permission statements that accompany those images or galleries. The specific gallery referenced in the question allows for images to be used for personal, non-commercial uses once you register with their web site. Others may state "all rights reserved", and give no permission. Some may allow for personal, non-commercial, home use. (DON'T bring that to the fair). Others will allow for use of images on other web pages but not for print. It all depends on the specific source and what they say. LOTS of free clip art sites abound. Just key "Clip Art Gallery" into your favorite search engine and see how many sites come up. Then start looking. Some will give permission, some will restrict. Members should print out and include the permission statement/terms of use for the site (or software) from which they obtain images. That's their responsibility. If we can't see or don't have the permission statement, then we can't allow the use of the images.
A 4-H member has used a recipe from Family Fun magazine to make garden soap. Does she need to include the article or just the reference?
You didn't say under what project or in what type of exhibit the recipe is used. Assuming this is part of a larger exhibit, or if the recipe is displayed on a poster, simply giving credit to the source is fine. The member should include the name of magazine, issue, and page number. The member should be prepared to answer questions related to child safety and soap.
I had a parent call this morning. Her son who just finished 6th grade is making a foot scraper, somehow involving a disc blade. I'm not sure if he's mounting it on the blade or what exactly, but he wants to paint a yellow deer (as in John Deere) on it. Is this a copyright violation? I suggested he just paint Bambi!
Yes, he needs permission from John Deere to paint their logo on the scraper. He can write to Deere & Co. and attempt to secure permission. I'd suggest he simply purchase a John Deere decal from a local dealer and apply it. Or, perhaps they sell a stencil with the deer logo. In either case, he's purchasing a product and using as intended.
NO! Do not have him “just paint Bambi!" Bambi is licensed by Disney and not only copyrighted, but heavily and aggressively protected.
One of our 4-H members is making a show box and wants to paint the Iowa Hawkeyes emblem on it. She wants to know if this acceptable to exhibit?
I'm not sure we should approve anything that has to do with Hawkeyes! However, they would need permission. The U of Iowa does claim the team names and logos as trademarks. While the U of Iowa tends to be more generous and liberal with their licensing policies than some universities, permission is still needed before painting the logo on the showbox. Applying a purchased decal would not require permission.
My experience has been when kids write and ask, universities very rarely say no to something like this. She has time before the fair. Have them ask. Contact info for U of Iowa sports can be found here.
A 4-H member made a red and gold pillow with “ISU” sewn on. Is this allowed to be exhibited?
Yes, the use of "ISU" in an exhibit as described above could be allowed. The Iowa State University Trademark Policy can be found here . That policy, and specifically item 3.B.(1)a., says (in part) that: licensing is required for all non-University users except when the use : (emphasis added) is by an artist in an original work of art which will not be reproduced.
It's reasonable to interpret the above statement as allowing a 4-H member to use and display ISU marks in their 4-H fair exhibits. It is still a good idea if a member wants to go beyond using the letters “ISU” in a design (for example, drawing "Cy" or the athletic logo), to ask permission. I have seen several letters of permission from the ISU Research Foundation granting the use of various ISU marks, logos, and emblems in 4-H exhibits. Go Cyclones!