Copyrighted designs in Sign Mags

[Billct2]

OK, with all the incredibley lengthy discussions on copyrights that take place here, I was thinking about the lack of mention of it in most sign magazines when they feature someone's work that includes images/designs that are obviously copyrighted. I was just looking at an article about some retro murals being painted in a restaurant and they were all copies of old ads for brands that still exist today. There was a member here who got a cease and desist from one of these same companies for selling Tshirts with their retro ad. And I have seen numerous wraps that had action heroes or cartoon characters that are definately a no no without permission. Yet with all the detail about the design and materials and installation, they never mention getting permission to use the image. So, are they? Or are they not? Might vary, but I think it should be something the sign magazines should cover.

 

[Biker Scout]

The publishers and journalists of sign magazines don't really have anything like "Journalistic Integrity". It's usually a guy or a group that owns several publications, has a sales team that drums up advertising, and fills their editorials and timed press releases, and industry fluff articles disguised as informative pieces. Sometimes the "Featured Columns" are of various industry professionals. Many of whom are just like you and I, not necessarily journalists or writers... just people with unique insights and industry experience that's willing to share. (And get their business featured/mentioned for free in a national publication)

If anything was to come back on them in regards to using something with a copyrighted logo, they just shoot back the ol' "Editorial Usage" clause. Editorial images, which include news and celebrity images, logos etc are not cleared for commercial use, but can be used for publications in the manner in which you see them being used. They aren't directly promoting the item/business. Nor did they get that random guy walking down the street hie permission to use his likeness via a photo release.

 

[Billct2]

I'm talking more about a sign company using copyrighted material with or without permission being featured in a national magazine and the issue of copyright is never brought up.
Let a newbie here try showing some of those designs here and watch the slamfest start if they don't preface by saying they have obtained permission.

 

[Biker Scout]

Yeah, they'd lose readership. The magazine just claps the dust off its hands a couple of times, and says, "Well, hey... it's just an editorial article. We aren't responsible for Joe's Sign Shack usage of their client's artwork. We just figured they'd have obtained the proper permission. Not our problem."

We want the sign mags ratting out every sign company? [in strong german accent] "A good neighbor haz nothzing to hide. Just show me your paperz, and you'll be on your way."

 

[Techman]

Well, hey... it's just an editorial article.

Is Fair use.. No need to worry about copy rights

 

[Christian @ 2CT Media]

I think you are both missing the point... it sounds like he is wondering how the actual companies featured in these articles are not getting in to trouble for using the copyrighted material especially when the process is covered a to z In the articles.

 

[Biker Scout]

Well, here's an article just a couple of months old in Sign & Digital Graphics Magazine

http://sdgmag.com/article/business-marketing/make-it-your-business-trademark-and-copyright-laws