I wanted to make a calendar at Zazzle with NASA images. As discussed before, their images can be used by others for commercial use, as they are considered public domain.

This is what they say at their website:

Quote

Photographs are not protected by copyright unless noted. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use. If not copyrighted, photographs may be reproduced and distributed without further permission from NASA.

Now, when I see images credited like this:
"NASA Earth Observatory image created by Jesse Allen, using EO-1 ALI data provided courtesy of the NASA EO-1 team."
or
"NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC."
Are these also public domain?

I'm confused because it seems most images now have credits like these.  Even the famous "Blue marble" series have "Credit: Reto Stockli, NASA Earth Observatory" and even some Hubble images have dubious credits.

NASA Regulations for Merchandising Requests

Strict legal regulations govern NASA policy regarding merchandising requests.  Companies interested in producing NASA-related merchandise must notify NASA's Multimedia  Division in writing (E-mail:  [email protected]).  Requests should describe the intended use of NASA imagery on the product.  If possible, layouts or sketches of the product should be included.  When all legal requirements have been met, NASA will send the merchandiser an approval letter.  A general overview of NASA policy follows.

� Companies interested in producing NASA-related merchandise have equal access to NASA information.  There is no licensing or exclusivity agreement with NASA.

� As a Government Agency, NASA will not promote or endorse or appear to promote or endorse a commercial product, service or activity.  Therefore, there are strict regulations on the use of any of the NASA identities and emblem imagery.  NASA does permit use of the Insignia and other emblems on souvenir items when they are used alone.  For example, in the case of a NASA T-shirt, the name of the company producing the T-shirt can be displayed on the collar tag; however, the T-shirt can only bear the NASA Insignia and no other company logo on the front or back of the shirt.

� Many NASA images (moving and still) in the public domain can be used for merchandising purposes.  However, there are rules regarding the appearance of astronauts' or NASA employees' faces or names on commercial products.  Astronauts or employees who are currently employed by NASA cannot have their faces or names displayed on any commercial products, advertisements or commercial product packaging.  Astronauts and NASA employees who are retired from the Agency can grant permission for the use of their faces or names, but that permission may be subject to a fee.  For deceased astronauts or employees, their families must grant permission for use of their photos or names.

� There are many images (moving and still) in the public domain of unrecognizable astronauts in space suits.  However, in some instances, the astronaut's name may be legible in the photo.  In such a case, we would have to determine if use of it for commercial purposes might infringe on a right of privacy.  Permission from the astronaut could, therefore, be necessary.

� When all legal and policy regulations have been met and approval is obtained, the merchandiser may contact the  Photo Department at 202/358-1900 for information to access imagery.

NASA Regulations for Advertising Requests

Strict legal regulations govern NASA policy regarding advertising requests.  Companies interested in producing NASA-related advertisements must notify NASA's Multimedia Division in writing (E-mail:  [email protected]).  Requests should describe the intended use of NASA imagery in the ads.  If possible, layouts or storyboards of the advertisement should be included.  When all legal requirements have been met, NASA will send the advertiser an approval letter.  A general overview of NASA policy follows.

� As a Government Agency, NASA will not promote or endorse or appear to promote or endorse a commercial product, service or activity.  Therefore, there are strict regulations on the use of any of the NASA identities and emblem imagery in advertisements. 

� NASA does not permit use of the insignia and other NASA indicia in advertisements.  Any use of the NASA identity on spacesuits and on the Shuttle is generally not permitted unless authorized by Headquarters Public Affairs.

� Any references to NASA in an advertisement must be factually accurate.

� Many NASA images and most film and video footage are in the public domain can be used for advertising purposes.  However, there are rules regarding the appearance of astronauts or NASA employees or names in commercial activities.  Astronauts or employees who are currently employed by NASA cannot have their likenesses or names displayed on any commercial products, advertisements or commercial product packaging.  Astronauts and NASA employees who are retired from the Agency can grant permission for the use of their likenesses or names, but that permission may be subject to a fee.  For deceased astronauts or employees, their families must grant permission for use of their images or names.

� Commercials are not permitted to be shot at NASA Centers.

�  The NASA Insignia cannot appear on websites that contain open advertising unless approved by the Associate Administrator for Public Affairs. 

� When all legal and policy regulations have been met and approval is obtained, the advertiser may contact the  Photo Department at 202/358-1900 for information to access imagery.

� Many NASA images (moving and still) in the public domain can be used for merchandising purposes.  However, there are rules regarding the appearance of astronauts' or NASA employees' faces or names on commercial products.  Astronauts or employees who are currently employed by NASA cannot have their faces or names displayed on any commercial products, advertisements or commercial product packaging.  Astronauts and NASA employees who are retired from the Agency can grant permission for the use of their faces or names, but that permission may be subject to a fee.  For deceased astronauts or employees, their families must grant permission for use of their photos or names.

� There are many images (moving and still) in the public domain of unrecognizable astronauts in space suits.  However, in some instances, the astronaut's name may be legible in the photo.  In such a case, we would have to determine if use of it for commercial purposes might infringe on a right of privacy.  Permission from the astronaut could, therefore, be necessary.

Quote from: Maui on July 27, 2010, 03:33

Quote

Many NASA images (moving and still) in the public domain can be used for merchandising purposes.

Public domain is public domain. Just make sure that you only use images that are designated as public domain.

Just what I was going to point out, same as you. Reading all the extra conditions which are about NASA logos, the name NASA, the astronauts, workers, any people, and anything else, is irrelevant.

Many NASA images (moving and still) in the public domain can be used for merchandising purposes.

There's the answer!

You can give credit to the people who created the image and NASA which would be courtious and identify the images source. It wouldn't devalue the calendar and may enhance the value?

I wanted to make a calendar at Zazzle with NASA images. As discussed before, their images can be used by others for commercial use, as they are considered public domain.

This is what they say at their website:

Quote

Photographs are not protected by copyright unless noted. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use. If not copyrighted, photographs may be reproduced and distributed without further permission from NASA.

Now, when I see images credited like this:
"NASA Earth Observatory image created by Jesse Allen, using EO-1 ALI data provided courtesy of the NASA EO-1 team."
or
"NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC."
Are these also public domain?

I'm confused because it seems most images now have credits like these.  Even the famous "Blue marble" series have "Credit: Reto Stockli, NASA Earth Observatory" and even some Hubble images have dubious credits.

You are not ignoring it, I was saying that you would be creating more problems by crediting NASA because it might make it seem like you are trying to pass off the calendar as NASA merchandise by putting their name on it.

Is it worth time contributing there?

Quote from: RacePhoto on July 27, 2010, 05:54

You can give credit to the people who created the image and NASA which would be courtious and identify the images source. It wouldn't devalue the calendar and may enhance the value?

Sorry, my answer was in reply to the above. I get what you were saying. I will stick you on ignore as you are obviously trying very hard to take everything I say the wrong way, that way I wont irritate you any more by trying to offer advice. Thanks.