Uncle sam, "we want you" use

[stephenj148]

Is this illegal to use? My fraternity wants to use the "we want you" on the back of a recruitment shirt.

I told them its a no-go. But I figured I'd ask

 

[Fred Weiss]

The best solution is to acquire a licensed version or one that is licensed for the use you want to put it to even if it is without cost. Here's a link to 505 versions you can purchase a license for.

 

[stephenj148]

Thanks Fred, I'll go this route. Didn't think about that

 

[bob]

Is this illegal to use? My fraternity wants to use the "we want you" on the back of a recruitment shirt.

I told them its a no-go. But I figured I'd ask

Nonsense. The 'I Want You" with Uncle Sam image dates back to WWI.

First, most anything the government does is pretty much automatically in the public domain. Secondly, it was done before 1922 [I think that's the correct year] and as such, it also in the public domain unless specific copyrights were issued when it was created and were properly renewed during the intervening time.

 

[Rick]

As Bob points out, that image is public domain...

 

[Fred Weiss]

The original Uncle Sam may be in the public domain but any version you come across that has been published, and therefore copyrighted, is not. So the question becomes, where is the OP getting his version of Uncle Sam from? If it is anything other than his own version created from scratch, then I doubt he will be protected from any public domain claim.

 

[Rick]

You can get that image from the Library of Congress...

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96507165/

The copyright on this states:
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication. No renewal in Copyright Office.
Rights assessment is your responsibility.

 

[ddarlak]

awesome detective work rick....

now can you please change you avy.....disturbing...

 

[Gino]

awesome detective work rick....

now can you please change you avy.....disturbing...

Agree 1,000%. His and Slappy's investigations amaze me.

Also, of course he 'CAN' change it..... I would presume you want to re-phrase it to 'Would' you please...........

:Oops:
​

 

[MikePro]

shoot, my frat used to ripoff logos all the time... "spreading bread since 1948" with the Wonder Bread logo clearly modified for Delta U was one of my favorites

not like you're going to be selling these shirts anywhere and everywhere that would raise any red flags.

 

[stephenj148]

shoot, my frat used to ripoff logos all the time... "spreading bread since 1948" with the Wonder Bread logo clearly modified for Delta U was one of my favorites

not like you're going to be selling these shirts anywhere and everywhere that would raise any red flags.

good point. Thanks

 

[stephenj148]

You can get that image from the Library of Congress...

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96507165/

The copyright on this states:
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication. No renewal in Copyright Office.
Rights assessment is your responsibility.

thanks rick

 

[Locals Find!]

shoot, my frat used to ripoff logos all the time... "spreading bread since 1948" with the Wonder Bread logo clearly modified for Delta U was one of my favorites

not like you're going to be selling these shirts anywhere and everywhere that would raise any red flags.

That is the same thinking that got me into trouble. This is truly bad advice. DON'T DO THIS!

good point. Thanks

No! Its not a good point. Take it from someone who has had their a$$ handed to them due to this diluted logic. Don't rip off copyrighted works. You may think your not going to get caught then you end up screwed. Do things right or not at all.

Edit: I think Gino is starting to rub off on me.

 

[stephenj148]

That is the same thinking that got me into trouble. This is truly bad advice. DON'T DO THIS!


No! Its not a good point. Take it from someone who has had their a$$ handed to them due to this diluted logic. Don't rip off copyrighted works. You may think your not going to get caught then you end up screwed. Do things right or not at all.

Edit: I think Gino is starting to rub off on me.

okay. I think I'll tell them to just go with a different design

 

[HulkSmash]

Addy, i don't see you getting into any type of frat or fraternity of any type

 

[Gino]

Addy, i don't see you getting into any type of frat or fraternity of any type

Really ?? I can see the Floridian Fraternity of Brokers, Yes We Can Beta, wanting to do something for our beloved Addie.....

 

[GoodPeopleFlags]

okay. I think I'll tell them to just go with a different design

You don't have to. Rick said there aren't any copyright issues to use Uncle Sam.

 

[Locals Find!]

okay. I think I'll tell them to just go with a different design

You misunderstood me. The Uncle Sam part is public domain, use it. I was trying to speak against the advice posted about using other logos like the example mentioned of Wonder Bread which isn't in the public domain.

I didn't want someone to come along like I did in the past and think that ripping off other logos not in the public domain was acceptable.

 

[Locals Find!]

Addy, i don't see you getting into any type of frat or fraternity of any type

I belonged to one of the largest and oldest Fraternity's in this Country. The United States Military.

 

[MikePro]

That is the same thinking that got me into trouble. This is truly bad advice. DON'T DO THIS!

for personal or business related production?
I assume that you ran into issues with the latter? I have yet to see anyone/any group get sued for making a couple of t-shirts that they weren't profiting on.

Heck, even my lithuanian polka-dance group used the Starbucks logo for shirts back in 2001, about 30 of them. Still have yet to see any lawsuits filed.
Now if I were marketing and selling them for your own monetary gain, as I'm sure you were, then I wouldn't be surprised if someone had an issue with it.

 

[MikePro]

Is this illegal to use? My fraternity wants to use the "we want you" on the back of a recruitment shirt.

I told them its a no-go. But I figured I'd ask

back to the OP's question, i truly believe that it is OK to use. Especially for your scale and intentions of production/use.