+Anthus Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hello, I'm a Jeep owner and fan. I'd like to mint a coin that has a picture of my Jeep on it. However, I'm not sure of the legal implications of doing so. I see that there are many coins with Jeeps (or other vehicles) on them. How did you go about getting approval to do so? I've heard some people say that it is personal artwork so it is legal to use it. If this is the case, what source is out there to back it up? Does a photograph of my Jeep (used to do the 3D engraving) count as personal artwork? Also, I've heard that the grill on the front of the Jeep is trademarked by Jeep. So wouldn't even drawing the grill be copyright infringement? I really would like to mint a Jeep coin, but I also want to avoid being sued. I see that most, if not all, coin minters make you sign an agreement that you are responsible for obtaining all trademarks and copyright agreements. Thanks in advance for any and all help that you can provide. ....Anthus Quote Link to comment
+fox-and-the-hound Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 You're actually in a funny place legally. A photo that you took is your personal "artwork" and should be ok to reproduce. The grill part has more to do with selling competitors vehicles. Jeep recently sued Hummer on that specific point and suprising they lost! For a personal coin you should be ok as long as you're using your photo and not a stock photo belonging to Jeep. Also, considering Jeep's involvement with geocaching, it should be easy enough to simply ask them. I'm sure they would probably be enthusiastic about the free advertising Quote Link to comment
+ZackJones Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Start by emailing someone from Jeep. Perhaps a marketing person or someone like that. I'm working one having some wooden nickels made and want to use one of the images from my GPS on it. I emailed Garmin explaining what I wanted to use the image for and within a few days I received a reply granting me permission to use the image. Quote Link to comment
+Anthus Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 You're actually in a funny place legally. A photo that you took is your personal "artwork" and should be ok to reproduce. The grill part has more to do with selling competitors vehicles. Jeep recently sued Hummer on that specific point and suprising they lost! For a personal coin you should be ok as long as you're using your photo and not a stock photo belonging to Jeep. Also, considering Jeep's involvement with geocaching, it should be easy enough to simply ask them. I'm sure they would probably be enthusiastic about the free advertising Thanks for the info. I've heard similar responses to the personal artwork. I'm really hoping that is the case. I'd love to have physical proof of that before I start minting the coins. Does anyone have contact information for someone at Jeep to get approval to use a personal photo of a Jeep on a geocoin? Thanks.....Anthus Quote Link to comment
+clan_Barron Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 (edited) Also, I've heard that the grill on the front of the Jeep is trademarked by Jeep. So wouldn't even drawing the grill be copyright infringement? I really would like to mint a Jeep coin, but I also want to avoid being sued. I see that most, if not all, coin minters make you sign an agreement that you are responsible for obtaining all trademarks and copyright agreements. Thanks in advance for any and all help that you can provide. ....Anthus The "seven slot grille" design ( sorta like this O|||||||O ) used in the "Only in a Jeep" logos and others (see here for example) is trademaked and would need approval to use. A picture taken from the Jeep website (or any other website) would require the picture owner's permission but to the best of my knowledge just because Jeep made your vehicle it doesn't mean that you need their persmission to do anything with a photo you take of it. That includes printing and selling photos, making coins, mugs, place mats, mouse pads or whatever with the picture of your Jeep printed on it. That being said, I'm a big Jeep fan too (I own 88 & 89 Wranglers, '81 Grand Wagoneer & 96 Cherokee) and mostly only collect Jeep related geocoins so email me when you are ready to get one made 'cause I'll take two Edited January 16, 2006 by clan_Barron Quote Link to comment
+IceCreamMan Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I really wouldn't sweat this. First of all, though I'm no parasite, er I mean Lawyer, I don't think someone can prevent you from selling an Image of your own property. At least not if it isn't an obvious play on their trademark. Like exploiting a logo. Also, why would Jeep care? They are selling Jeeps to cachers left and right. Putting a Jeep on a geocoin is like free advertising. Finally, has any cachers ever had any problem with this kind of thing? I know some manufacturers won't work with clearly copywrited material, like Disney (and I think The Federation had some issues), but I don't think anyone's gotten a letter from a lawyer. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 At the bottom of many website home pages you might find a "contact us" link. Here is Jeep's "contact us" page. Pick a link. Quote Link to comment
+Damenace Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Why would you need approval to use a picture of your own vehicle? There have been many coins produced already that have jeeps on them. They used images of there own vehicles and had 3-D images rendered onto a coin. Quote Link to comment
+fishingdude720 Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Looks legat to me. I have seen plenty of coins with Jeeps on them. Check out one here. Quote Link to comment
+Anthus Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 Why would you need approval to use a picture of your own vehicle? Because I'm paranoid.... Quote Link to comment
+elmosmelmo Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 I am currently working on gettingmy own personal jeep coin with a buddy of mine. the artwork is based on a photo of my jeep on one side and my buddys jeep on the other. we have not asked permission and i wouldnt worry about it...as long as we dont make millions i dont think jeep is gonna care. Let me know if you make youre coin and maybe we can set up a trade. Quote Link to comment
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