+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) Has anyone had their coin design used in a cheap imitation? Can anything be done? Here is the design... Edited May 29, 2009 by Tennessee Jed Quote Link to comment
+LadyBee4T Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 The first coin that came to mind is that there are two different icache coins put out by two different companies--one was SoCalGeocoins and the other I don't remember. Both extremely similar. (I'm not referring to the later v2 coin that looks like the iphone) There was a bit of a hubbub when one came out as they knew about the other design and said they were backing off but didn't. Quote Link to comment
+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 The first coin that came to mind is that there are two different icache coins put out by two different companies--one was SoCalGeocoins and the other I don't remember. Both extremely similar. (I'm not referring to the later v2 coin that looks like the iphone) There was a bit of a hubbub when one came out as they knew about the other design and said they were backing off but didn't. This coin was done by the same company mentioned above. I hope they don't decide to use other peoples designs cause they like them. Quote Link to comment
+ThePetersTrio Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Isn't that bear a common Grateful Dead image to begin with? I have no idea if there is a copyright issue or not but when I first saw these coins I immediately thought it was a coin made by a Grateful Dead fan. Quote Link to comment
Hogwild Stuff Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Hmm . . . this can be kinda of a tough question . . . A couple of years ago we did a CHP coin and someone else did a nearly identical designed coin but with slightly different language. I think it was just coincidence. More recently Hogwild Stuff and Coins & Pins have done benchmark coins based on the same benchmark, though the coins themselves were very different in design. More recently there was quite a bit of controversy about two Boy Scout coins that were very similar. These are always tough situations and there is probably not much that can be done except maybe not buying the coin. Quote Link to comment
+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) Hmm . . . this can be kinda of a tough question . . . A couple of years ago we did a CHP coin and someone else did a nearly identical designed coin but with slightly different language. I think it was just coincidence. More recently Hogwild Stuff and Coins & Pins have done benchmark coins based on the same benchmark, though the coins themselves were very different in design. More recently there was quite a bit of controversy about two Boy Scout coins that were very similar. These are always tough situations and there is probably not much that can be done except maybe not buying the coin. This is no coincidence since the owner of SoCalGeocoins wanted to trade for my coin last year. I have been told they copy or improvise on many different coins so they can make a profit off of someone elses cost. Now someone will make a profit off of their costs. Edited May 29, 2009 by Tennessee Jed Quote Link to comment
+ThePetersTrio Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Is there copyright permission for the use of the Grateful Dead bear? Perhaps that would be a way to resolve the issue? I guess it is possible that you both got permission to use the image? Quote Link to comment
+Landsharkz Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 TJ, take heart in the fact that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Quote Link to comment
+DJ.J.ROCK Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Reciently a person designed a coin that was a spin off of a persons sig item,, i thought : how crummy of them to do that!! they did good on the sales too , now that persons sig item has no unique ness to it becide their name on the darn thing, i wont and will not have that coin in my collection nor will i ever buy it, and if i ever get one im gonna put it on e-bay as my first ebayed coin!!! lol did you confront them?? i would start there, and see how they feel, or thought of the design,,,, then if they agree that they used your design, have them pay you for it or get you some coins. thats a tuff question tho . Quote Link to comment
princeshoko Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 considering how many coins are made off of other ideas in the world, i think id just take it as a complement and move on. 99% of coins I see, or have bought would be of a copyrighted image or intellectual design elsewhere Quote Link to comment
+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) The use of a copyrighted image for commercial use is punishable by law unless permission is granted. I don't think permission was granted in this instance. I will leave it at that. Edited May 29, 2009 by Tennessee Jed Quote Link to comment
Tooeygeotrashed Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 It is a shame to see people copying coin designs, however not all instances are copies, I have seen at least three coins produced that I was thinking of doing myself, nobody saw my drawings - but the resulting coins look uncannily like the ones I had envisaged. I did design the Three Wise Monkeys coin, and now someone has produced a three coin set in the Funny Animal Series (?). Not a copy, just another design on a similar theme and there are going to be people who would rather buy the three coin set of what looks to me to be a rather simple cartoon characterisation of Three Wise Monkeys, does not appeal to me but then my coin isn't going to appeal to everyone either. I think it is quite understandable in this case to get a little hot under the collar, in my opinion it is a very poor imitation of what originally was a super coin. Since they are clearly producing this 'for profit' I think they should be a little concerned about copyright. I remember the debacle over the Scouts coin, well it could have been deliberate or it could have been coincidental, either way at the end of the day there is only one Scout Motto and it is usually presented in a similar form wherever it is produced, badges, stamps, posters whatever - the Grateful Dead image is also widely used, mostly by the Grateful Dead I would imagine. As Landsharkz say - imitation is the greatest form of flattery, I guess the only complaint then that can be made is that it is a very poor attempt at imitation ! Quote Link to comment
+uktim Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 The use of a copyrighted image for commercial use is punishable by law unless permission is granted. I don't think permission was granted in this instance. I will leave it at that. Surely the simple concept of a bear holding a GPS was almost guaranteed to be a common design for Geocoins? I doubt you can copyright such a concept! Quote Link to comment
+AtlantaGal Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) Not to play devils advocate, buit I will. There are several poses of the Dancing Bear. See image below. Yours is the first or second one and theirs is the last one. Not excusing them, but just pointing this out. Also, my SYF coin design was stolen for a Pathtag design. I say c'est la vie. Edited May 29, 2009 by AtlantaGal Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 And you took your idea from where? I don't see how this can upset you, as it wasn't an original design to begin with. Had this been your own personal artwork, I could see the problem. The problem I see here is did anyone ask the Grateful Dead for permission to use the image? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but can also lead to lawsuits if not done properly. Quote Link to comment
+AtlantaGal Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 And you took your idea from where? I don't see how this can upset you, as it wasn't an original design to begin with. Had this been your own personal artwork, I could see the problem. The problem I see here is did anyone ask the Grateful Dead for permission to use the image? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but can also lead to lawsuits if not done properly. The Dead were pretty lienient with their stuff as long as no commercial gain was involved. I think SoCal would be hearing from lawyers with a cease and disist order before Tenn Jed would. Just my $.02. Quote Link to comment
+opalsns Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Wow, That's a tough one. Personally, I think it is a morals issue. Shame on a company for using a person or there personal things to make a buck. It is also a kick in the butt to ask artists to use someone elses work to come up with a very close design. Flattery only works at dinner party's. I wouldn't be flattered if someone took my original design and used it to make money for them. But as was said, Is this your image to begin with. if not, then there is nothing to be done by you, if it IS your design ............ SUE EM' JMHO Opalsns Quote Link to comment
+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) Wow, That's a tough one. Personally, I think it is a morals issue. Shame on a company for using a person or there personal things to make a buck. It is also a kick in the butt to ask artists to use someone elses work to come up with a very close design. Flattery only works at dinner party's. I wouldn't be flattered if someone took my original design and used it to make money for them. But as was said, Is this your image to begin with. if not, then there is nothing to be done by you, if it IS your design ............ SUE EM' JMHO Opalsns Although people may think I chose the image for my coin on a whim, I did days and days of research on the image and had come to know the artist. Did they do that? I know they did not. The artist knows they stole the design and that they stole the designs for many of their coins. Using the artwork of someone else for profit can get people in trouble....I do hope that SoCalGeocoins did not submit a similar image for their icon. Edited May 29, 2009 by Tennessee Jed Quote Link to comment
+ThePetersTrio Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 The artist knows they stole the design... So is the artist going to do anything about it? It seems as though this is the person who needs to be taking charge of the situation directly. Quote Link to comment
+The Weasel Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Well I wish they would copy my design/avatar, that way I wouldn't have to have pay to have a coin made I do think it's kind of hokey that they didn't check with you first to see if it was ok to have the coin made, if not just for the moral factor. Quote Link to comment
+Tennessee Jed Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) The artist knows they stole the design... So is the artist going to do anything about it? It seems as though this is the person who needs to be taking charge of the situation directly. I believe they are. And if anyone is interested, the image was not originally used by the Grateful Dead. They had to get permission several years after the original artwork. That is all I will say in the forums. Edited May 29, 2009 by Tennessee Jed Quote Link to comment
+Kealia Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Wow, That's a tough one. Personally, I think it is a morals issue. Legal questions aside, this is what a lot of the discussions in here come down to. Sadly, morals seem to take a backseat to profit in *most* instances in here. Quote Link to comment
+dhenninger Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Not to play devils advocate, buit I will. There are several poses of the Dancing Bear. See image below. Yours is the first or second one and theirs is the last one. Not excusing them, but just pointing this out. Also, my SYF coin design was stolen for a Pathtag design. I say c'est la vie. And I thought that was Your pathtag.. I guess not Quote Link to comment
+GATOULIS Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 WOW!! At first, before I read your post my friend, I was ready to congratulate you for your new coin!!! I never had a chance to hold one of your bear coins, but I can see it in your avantar....and this new coin is.... Quote Link to comment
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