August 16, 201016 yr There's been numerous accusations on this forum of 'stealing' work since I've joined. Most of which have been defended and accepted as mistake since we're all nice people here (say it with me). In about 5 minutes of browsing latest discussions here, I came across two sites both of which had a logo which I recognised as another, much larger, brand/company logo. I'm not talking about, 'that's quite similar' - I mean it's the actual logo with different text. I'm interested as to how far you can go with a logo before it's classed as an infringement of copyright material. Is there even a risk of this? Is it just going to damage your own image since people will notice this kind of thing almost the second they see your site/logo? I've put together a simple demo of the type of thing I'm referring to. I have picked on a couple of members' sites here, I apologise and accept that this topic does not apply solely to you. I'd like views/opinions on the topic NOT about the particular logos above. The above is just a way of describing the type of logo I'm referring to in this post.
August 16, 201016 yr Well it just damages you're brand recognition. You need it be easily identifiable, and my ripping someone else this just hinders it. When you see the golden arches, you instantly think McDonalds. If i stole the arches for my logo, as soon as you saw it, you'd think McDonalds. It's already established, and embedded in us. Knocking off established logo's is just counter-productive imho.
August 16, 201016 yr Author Knocking off established logo's is just counter-productive imho. Completely agree with you - but could it actually be classed as illegal infringement of copyright or trademarks?
August 16, 201016 yr Any adaptation is classed as derivative work. It's still the original authors work, to which they hold the right. Derivative work comes under legislation, The extent of which is fairly subjective, but i'm pretty sure theirs enough case law on the subject now, to have a fairly refined line. http://www.copyright...ve_works.en.htm
August 16, 201016 yr Even more damaging to the rep when the stolen work looks worse than the original...
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