MicrostockGroup

 

Recently, I had a lovely photo rejected by Big Stock for a TM issues with Chinese Paper Currency- It had a blank form (IRS Foreign Earn Income) and a single pen with no logos on it. Yet, in the past Big Stock took some of my currency shots with Chinese included- what gives?

Here is a sample of my shot that was rejected-

http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=2466229

Any ideas on what or why I was rejected because of a TM or logo?

Thanks.


Tom

No brand name on the pen and LOL on the Mao comment...

Thanks.


Tom

The distinctive design might be it too. The other small detail is what's on the pocket clip. Most of us would know that it's the reflection of the newsprint under it but a reviewer might think it's a brand name printed on the clip. 

My uninformed vote is that Mao's image is protected. I'm not going to go do all the research like I did on the UK bank notes and have people argue that "they see it all the time" so it must be OK. Especially when the notes say "copyright" and have a © on them.

So this time you're on your own.

Well except this tidbit: (emphasis mine)

From Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China

    Article 19 - It is prohibited to counterfeit or alter the renminbi. It is prohibited to sell or purchase counterfeit and altered renminbi. It is prohibited to transport, hold or use counterfeit and altered renminbi. It is prohibited to deliberately destroy or damage the renminbi. It is prohibited to illegally use images of the renminbi in advertisement, publications or other commodities.