Questions tagged [legal]
Questions about copyright, licensing and ownership.
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If I use a collection of images from the internet and create my own graphic, can I use that new graphic commercially? [duplicate]
I want to make graphics to sell on shirts. I often make graphics using a multitude of images and manipulating them to make on image. For example; I crop the head off a tiger, put it over a man's head ...
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0answers
51 views
Can I copyright and/or trademark a logo I made a custom font for?
My website's logo is a custom font I made. It's a relatively stylized font.
I'm rendering the logo (and other display items on my website) by using the font in CSS, so someone can easily grab the font....
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1answer
29 views
Is it legally safe to create a vector illustration of a celebrity photo for commercial use? [duplicate]
I want to take a photo someone else captured of a celebrity, then use illustrator to manually illustrate a vector of that celebrity, adding my own artistic touch.
The main goal is to be artistic, not ...
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2answers
68 views
Can i redesign a ISO standards icon and put it on my package design ? or i have to buy it from ISO [closed]
I have a Nitrial gloves package design.
There are ISO Standards icons, which are available on the ISO website for $44 NZD
i can easily design this icon and use it on my package but is this legal ? ...
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1answer
74 views
Is the Bluetooth logo a registered symbol?
I'd like to use a Bluetooth symbol which will be a visible part of my product for sale.
Can I legally use this graphic?
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1answer
49 views
How should I revise a “Work for Hire” Agreement?
Last week, I received a "Work for Hire" agreement between myself and my client even though we have been working on her book since January 2018. We have been working on this project, which is a book ...
3
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2answers
81 views
The use of iconic figures in a logo
I'm working on a pixel art logo for a site I'm developing for a small company. It's about retro and iconic games such as flappy bird, pacman, etc.
Am I allowed to use such characters or are they ...
3
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1answer
128 views
Is this logo copyright infringment of Beats' logo? [duplicate]
I was recently informed by friends that my logo looks far too much like Beats' logo, and I did find it to be so.
I made some adjustments, but it in my mind, it still looks fairly similar. Yet, there ...
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1answer
52 views
Can I manipulate a Shutterstock vector for a logo? [duplicate]
I am designing a logo for a friend. I have the font and colors done. All I need is an icon for it. I found a vector on shutterstock that would be perfect. I took the vector and used it as a base and ...
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2answers
124 views
Is this idea about font licensing true?
I've heard informally that a font license only applies to the file of a font, that if you use a particular font to produce designs, and distribute those designs without the font file included, you don'...
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2answers
913 views
How exactly should I ask my employer for design use permission on paper?
I'm an employed graphic designer. I did illustrations, branding and prototyping for my employer. I'm aware that without a specific contract, whatever work is done by a salaried designer, is the ...
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2answers
291 views
Is the distinctive color combination of Google logo copyrighted ?
For example can I use the exact colors of Google Logo in my own logo? I have found the following information about the google logo here Googele logo trademark
However this article on google site ...
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0answers
61 views
Designing While Not Employed as a Designer. They now want Source Files I don't have?
At my previous job, I was an executive assistant. I was pursuing my degree in graphic design, and worked on a few projects with the company. I left the company, and now they are asking for source ...
3
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2answers
113 views
Client asking me to copy another website layout and effects but not content. What point is it copyright infringement?
I know very similar questions have been asked but couldn't find insight on a situation as similar to mine. A (very good) client that I don't want to drop wants me to mimic another website's layout and ...
5
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3answers
648 views
What restrictions can I put in my contract when designing a logo for a non-profit? [duplicate]
I'm designing a logo for an event put on by a non-profit, and I am giving them a really good deal on it as they cannot afford what it is worth. It is a cause I believe in so I would like to help them ...
13
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6answers
3k views
Working file request due to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
I have had a request to supply a client with all of their files (including InDesign docs) due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). My client also wants me to delete the files from my ...
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1answer
678 views
Can I be sued if I have a similar logo to a company [duplicate]
My logo is a similar looking diamond like this one of Diamond Supply Co. It's a really similar shape, but the inside markings are different, so my question is would I be sued if I have a similar logo?
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22
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5answers
11k views
Client not satisfied with the design. Doesn't want to pay
I have a new client which approved my proposal saying that we will split the project into milestones - first payment after the first milestone (30%). The problems appeared right from the start because ...
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2answers
46 views
Changing the color of Certification Logos to match the theme colors of my website
I have a graphic designer building me a website and I want 3 certification logos included in my credentials.
She wants to change the color of logos to a light green (to match color scheme of my logo),...
2
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1answer
83 views
Do commercial artists have any legal obligation to avoid predatory design practices?
Smithsonian Magazine recently ran an article, Ads for E-Cigarettes Today Hearken Back to the Banned Tricks of Big Tobacco, about E-Cigarette Ads utilizing techniques that were already banned (in the ...
3
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1answer
48 views
Is it customary to retain the copyright to your artwork when designing album cover artwork?
It is my first time designing an album cover for a client and they want me to sign a contract giving up my rights to the design so they can use it in other places besides the album cover (posters, bus ...
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1answer
160 views
Can I redesign a random website for my portfolio?
I would like to redesign a random website and use it in my portfolio, either as an image or sample live project. Am I allowed to do that, use their logo and link to the old website, that's still ...
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1answer
74 views
What to do when finishing a logo that was started by another artist?
I have a client who had a design they had done by another artist and wants me to finish up the logo using what they designed, im just worried legally if i can use what they did or what i need to get ...
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1answer
75 views
Can a palette for use in a continuous-color plot be considered under copyright?
This question is an extension of the question asked here, which I feel does not completely answer my question.
Say a website or software has continuous-color graphs, such as this color contour map ...
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5answers
4k views
Can I use the font “Product Sans” for a commercial poster?
I want to make a poster for my middle school yearbook, but I don't know if I can put them up due to font copyright.
On befonts.com, the Product Sans font is marked for "personal and commercial use". ...
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1answer
762 views
How to word email explaining working files buyout
After years of providing press ready PDF files to my customer for extensive revisions to a yearly catalog, they are asking for the InDesign "working files," which they think they are entitled to, as ...
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2answers
128 views
Is it legal to use a not-freely-distributable font in your logo?
Let's say I imported a font that is for personal use only. I then type in the company name in that particular font and screencapture it. I then proceed to Illustrator and image trace my screencapture ...
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1answer
67 views
Why do people upload their work to Adobe and other stock sites if they can't be used for intended purposes?
Why do people upload their work to Adobe and other stock sites if they can't be used for intended purposes?
For example, I was talking to a friend of mine who wants a logo designed. I suggest he take ...
3
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3answers
959 views
Branding work: advice on transferring copyright to client
I recently got a project to design logo design, stationery, website, brand identity for a startup company. I want to seek answers from a professional brand designer: is it compulsory to include a ...
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1answer
296 views
Legal copyright for making text based logos?
I've just started off being a freelance graphic designer (wooo adventure), but I've a question about using texts when making logos. From what I understand, Typefaces don't have copyright; so I want to ...
3
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3answers
81 views
Can we use images of historic figures in our artwork?
According to this document
All works published in the U.S. before 1923
is default public domain.
Does this mean it is safe to use images of historic figures (Isaac Newton or Leonardo Da Vinci) ...
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1answer
568 views
Tribute band logo copyright infringement
My band created this logo as an idea for our tribute band to the Beatles:
Since it is based on the original Beatles logo:
Would the logo be considered copyright infringement?
We know the name ...
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3answers
2k views
If I'm given resources by a client, should I look up the licenses of each one of those resources?
If I'm given resources by a client, should I look up the licenses of each one of those resources?
Can this affect me in any way legally?
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2answers
697 views
Trademarking Multiple Logos
Our startup clothing company is getting ready to trademark and promote our line, but the issue is that with each release of the line, there is a new iteration of the logo featured. Each shirt features ...
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1answer
5k views
What should happen if a logo I made is similar to another?
Note: This is a canonical post created so that we can close the many similar questions as duplicates as discussed in this meta post.
We have created a logo for a client and they love it. We've ...
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1answer
485 views
Can I place a logo on a stock image?
We take stock photography and overlay a quote or factoid for social media posts. We usually use a filter or coloured overlay as well.
Can we place our logo and/or website URL on this image?
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3answers
1k views
Using a clients font to print their files
Scenario:
I work for a printing company. Clients design something they need printed. We receive their files along with the fonts needed for printing.
As a printer, what is our responsibility for ...
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4answers
123 views
Print question - legal and copyright
A client has approached me with a PDF and would like me to find him a price on the print, to beat his previous printers cost.
Can I legally do this? Just forward another PDF on?
I'm a bit anxious ...
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1answer
2k views
At what point can an image be considered “redrawn”?
In most cases in academic publishing a permission is required to reuse (e.g. publish again) previously published graphic content. A problem is that the copyright holder of that content is usually not ...
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3answers
4k views
Long term client wants working files
As a independent graphic designer, I've developed and produced a yearly catalog of machine parts for a long term client beginning about 20 years ago! The catalog began at about 100 pages, and now is ...
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2answers
93 views
Resources for Logo Design Trademarking
What is the best way to provide trademarking information on a logo to a client after you have delivered their new logo design?
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2answers
222 views
Can I sell my own pics with added overlays that are not mine?
I am a stock photographer and just bought a huge pack of photo overlays and backgrounds and more from inkydeals.com to use in Photoshop. Can I use those overlays, brushes and effects on the pictures I ...
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1answer
409 views
Do I need permission to use cars in samples?
I made design software and I'm making samples of its use.
Am I allowed to use things like mini-coopers in my samples?
What are the legal guidelines for using another company's products in my sample ...
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2answers
1k views
Legality of using images of celebrities on a website
I'm planning on making a website about celebrities and on the website there will be images of celebrities. I know that you can't use images of celebrities owned by other people (I hope you understand ...
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2answers
767 views
What is considered a “Logo” for stock photo use?
I am creating a "logo" for a group of women who fly fish in Central Oregon. They are a small group that gets together within the larger club called Central Oregon Fly Fishers. In the past, they've ...
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2answers
218 views
Can I use the Apple Logo in a low run ad (think bulletinboards, not magazines + billboard)?
I'm wondering if it would be possible to use the Apple Logo in a really cheap, low-run, homemade A4 ad for Apple-assistance services, without running into issues with Apple themselves?
I'm talking it ...
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1answer
692 views
Are some color schemes copyrighted?
I was wondering if there is a copyright on the color schemes of some brands. For example can I use the exact colors of FedEx (purple and brown) in combination for my own logo? Or for example Pepsi's ...
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1answer
5k views
The scope of “free for personal use” in fonts
When dafont.com says a font is "Free for personal use", could it be used for local student run show posters as long as I'm not selling the posters?
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2answers
158 views
Using a similar feel as CNN's Breaking News for banner to promote product - is it fair use?
I'm creating a "Breaking News" image / banner to promote a product. I'd like to give it an air of authenticity by using a similar look and style as CNN's or BBC's "Breaking News" flash (Title, ...
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6answers
6k views
Would this be considered as plagiarism? [duplicate]
I have recently had a logo designed for my company only to realise after rebranding my vehicle and website is shares certain similarities with another well-known logo. Could somebody with a better ...
