Copyright Infringement

Envision said:
What's all the heat & frustration suddenly about, that I'm feeling here?

My post about contacting someone for permission wasn't for you, EditPhish, but for anyone who may read this thread.

While originality is ideal, there are some legitimate characters out there (even the unknown ones that Pablo's created) that would be cool to see a short done with ... and infringement would only be if permission was not expressly granted.

Oh, and that's crap about singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Whatever. That's like saying you're not allowed to sing some popular tune in your car, the shower, etc. Now, if it's to be played in a film, or other commercial venue, that could be different ... but to say we're not to sing it in the privacy of our own home, I simply don't buy it.
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It doesn't matter if you buy it or not. Go ask a lawyer, it's infringement. Regardless of if it's PRACTICAL or not, that's a different story. But, that's the truth.

I'm simply backing up the intent of the thread. Not to point fingers, I don't know how that started, but to inform those people who don't know.
 
Filmjunkie677 said:
LOL!

what about "I love you" Is that copyright infringment??

Did hallmark copyright that??
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Weren't you supposed to stop posting in this thread? That's what you said.
 
Filmjunkie677 said:
sorry dude, couldnt help myself. I apologize if I hurt your feelings.
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It hurt your character. I can now refer to you as "The guy who doesn't keep his word".

Aside from all of that, (before John_Hudson comes and strikes me down), those who think the thread is pointless should stop posting in it.

I think she was trying to help those who might run into this problem, not point fingers.
 
Look, guys, and gals... let's just stop posting in this thread... I think we all understand the original intent, and enough information has been given. It's quickly starting to turn for the worse. I advise stopping before other things go wrong, ok :) Just my advice.
 
Kholi said:
It hurt your character. I can now refer to you as "The guy who doesn't keep his word".

Aside from all of that, (before John_Hudson comes and strikes me down), those who think the thread is pointless should stop posting in it.

I think she was trying to help those who might run into this problem, not point fingers.
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Wow, Kholi, dude. Ahhh, feel the calm. Breathe in, breathe out. It's all good.

Oh, and I DID say that using it in a commercial venue may/would be a different story ... just didn't buy the whole "singing it in the pricacy of your own home is infringement" part.
 
Envision said:
Wow, Kholi, dude. Ahhh, feel the calm. Breathe in, breathe out. It's all good.

Oh, and I DID say that using it in a commercial venue may/would be a different story ... just didn't buy the whole "singing it in the pricacy of your own home is infringement" part.
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Yeah I just went back and read that part. I think I totally over-read that part for some reason.

=P

I'm always calm. I think people hear my internet voice as a harsh one, when most of the time I'm calm as hell; I guess if hell is a calm place.
 
Kholi -- Thanks for the backup :happy:

Ultimately though, all the questions HAVEN'T been answered Briceman. Calling the thread a waste of time or saying to use "common sense" doesn't answer it.

Envision - my reply wasn't meant to you :happy: -- I know if you get permission and/or pay licensing then it isn't copyright infringement... but thanks for the clarification for those who didn't know.
 
EditPhish said:
Ultimately though, all the questions HAVEN'T been answered Briceman. Calling the thread a waste of time or saying to use "common sense" doesn't answer it.
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Hey now... I never said all the questions had been answered. I just said that if this thread turns to a tone that we ALL don't want. Then it's best to leave it, and maybe privately discuss things. That's all I meant. :)
 
Briceman,

Appreciate what you're saying, but really I do think it's an important discussion to have out in the open, so all the member can benefit from it. Understanding copyright issues is important in any creative field/hobby -- not only so you can be sure you don't infringe on someone elses rights, but so you can protect you own work as well.

I have no particular "tone" or agenda -- and don't like to quibble over silliness either... don't see copyright rules/laws as silly or unimportant. I'd hate to suddenly find out that Jarred got a cease and desist letter because of copyright violations of his members' films. I want this forum to stick around :happy:
 
I dont know if this contributes to the discussion, but on the commentary track for Rock Star, the director is talking about a Harley Davidson t-shirt the male lead was wearing in one shot, and was sort of key to the scene. They couldnt get permission from HD, so it had to fixed in post (or they re-shot the scene....cant remember) but they definitely could not use the shot with the HD shirt.

I was wondering about using shots with wall posters of other Superheroes. Doesnt sound likely.
 
I'm sure that some of you have heard this before, but I thought I would throw this out there... Having a legal background, and spending a little time in copyright law, I have the following to help clear up any sort of confusion.

A copyright is only as good as those who enforce it. The people who we are dealing with here (Marvel, DC, WildStorm, Image, Dark Horse, etc.) enforce the ever loving hell out of their copyrights. Marvel layed the smack down on City of Heroes for coming too close to having a "Wolverine-Esque" (their words, not mine) archetype in the game, and they got the devs. to re-write the code. They watch the forums like a hawk for people who have names that come close to their copyright. If they don't like what you're doing, they will file a cease-and-desist. They will then promptly sue. And if not you, this site, and the good people who make it possible. Even if this lawsuit is baseless, it will still cost time and money.

If you are under their radar, yeah, maybe nothings happens. A daycare center that helped at-risk kids in Detroit had Mickey Mouse on one of their walls inside the building. They had it up for years. They were under the radar. Then the center won an award, had a photo taken of the staff in front of the wall where Mickey was displayed, the photo was in the papers, and Disney sued the center. That picture put them on the radar. That center no longer exists. All it takes is one guy in the legal department of (fill in the blank) who has a bad hangover, a bad attitude, and time to kill.

Comic book companies copyright everything. They are only as good as their trademarked and copywritten icons / locations / names.

Be smart. Be safe. Be original. Have fun. Don't screw this site up for all of us.
 
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It's not even that the companies who own these things are in bad moods. There are a few things at issue here -- copyright and trademark. If you don't actively defend (or use) your trademarks, you can lose them. (Which is why, for example, even though there are currently no Star Trek productions, there will be tons of merchandizing. Which is why a new Supergirl or Superboy pops up every few years.)
 
Sorry Folks,
In no way did I mean that companies only take action when someone is in a bad mood. Many times their actions are valid, as in the case of my "City of Heroes" example. Marvel intends to release their own MMORPG through Sony, and did not want to passively allow another company to steal their thunder. However, sometimes a company like Disney will do something that so badly flies in the face of reason (a.k.a. "Keeping-Up-The-Public-Image") you wonder if it was just a hungover jr. legal aide's 5a.m. bad call. Anyway, once they open their mouths, they have to see something through. In some cases, individuals will force a company's hand in making them sue.

If someone, say, on an online user community site made a Star Wars fan film that was grossly successful. They decided, what the hell, I'll sell this bad boy for twenty bucks a crack. The second that people start buying this thing, Lucas's boys will be forced to sue you, even though he likes to allow fan films.

Oh what a twisted web we weave when we practice to decieve.

Narf.
 
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