Author Topic: Would this be infringement, in theory? (Read 3215 times)

ShadySue · « **on:** January 17, 2013, 08:44 »

Say I saw a photo and it had a concept using e.g. US dollars, and I created a similar (not the same, but similar on the same theme) using e.g. UK£, would that be infringement?
Only hypothetical, I'm not even uploading at the moment; but I've often thought, 'that's good but it would be no use here'.

Microbius · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2013, 08:53 »

I don't think it would be infringement, but could be impolite!
You cant copyright an idea, but I would certainly try to improve on the concept to make it my own if I was inspired by something, rather than just copying the idea like for like.

And don't forget agency rules and IP law are two different things, if you are "over inspired" they could reject even if it isn't actually copyright infringement.

rubyroo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2013, 08:55 »

I'm not a legal expert by any means, but I tend to err on the side of caution. If I didn't think of the idea myself, I just don't do it.

I'm sure I must be subconsciously inspired by things I've seen to come up with some of the ideas that I have - and there's no way around that if I'm not aware of it... so I draw the line at consciously copying and just work from a list that I perpetually write up as ideas strike me - or as they appear as requests in agency forums etc.

Of course, right now, there's only one word on my list.... PLANKS!!!

ShadySue · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2013, 09:16 »

Quote from: rubyroo on January 17, 2013, 08:55

Of course, right now, there's only one word on my list.... PLANKS!!!

Funnily enough, I'd also thought, "I have a lot of suitable backgrounds, just need some suitable foregrounds ... but I don't think I have the technical skills to carry it off. But you don't know until you try!

disorderly · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2013, 09:26 »

As a separate issue, I believe the UK government claims copyright on its currency or at least on their version of the Queen's likeness. I know Shutterstock pulled one of my images a while back because there were some UK coins in the pile. Other countries aren't so hostile to free enterprise of the photographic kind.

rubyroo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2013, 09:32 »

Quote from: ShadySue on January 17, 2013, 09:16

Funnily enough, I'd also thought, "I have a lot of suitable backgrounds, just need some suitable foregrounds ... but I don't think I have the technical skills to carry it off. But you don't know until you try!

Oh yes do try! It's always good to add another string to your bow.

Disorderly's right too - UK currency is legally a much stickier wicket.