Copyrights and other pain-in-the-ass stuff

Could anyone give me some idea on how strict they are about coprights and stuff, and what is included in them? For example:

Can I make a program that uses the cool look (the user interface) of StarTrek computers and systems that you see on the show (LCARS)? I think I can since that kind of "style" really can't be copyrighted. Right?

If I am legal so far, can I add the text "LCARS" somewhere?

And furthermore, I don't think I can use the United Federation of Planets logo or the word StarTrek, can I?

I'd like any help/discussion on this, since I think copyrights are a pain-in-the-butt and would like to know if I can do these things I mentioned...


-JR-

Depends on the company you are ripping stuff from, what you do with it, and who you are.

Example A
Mr. Jones whom is a long-distance lorry driver, programs for a hobby. He uses the theme from Hawaii 50 to alert the user to a manic surf-dude on west beach. He would not be banished to the depts of hell (provided he only GAVE (not SOLD) it to a few drinking partners.

Example B
Lets say a larger company, e.g. Vodafone, incorporated the Hawaii 50 theme into all their cellphones as a ringtone. Now, not only is Vodafone the largest mobile phone company in the world, but it is "selling" the Hawaii 50 theme with it's phone packages. Vodafone would then get a court order and be sued for copyright infrigement.

In conclusion: If you are a 1 man operation who steals a couple of pictures/sounds for NON-commercial use, you're pretty much OK, but if your name is Microsoft and you steal a programming language from Sun to SELL, you're ganna get a beating

Disclaimer: Sould you do something naughty, I am not responsible for anything :D

Thanks bud.

So you think it's pretty much legal to use "LCARS" and the starfleet symbol? I probably won't say StarTrek anywhere, that'd be too risky... :)

And if I don't include any legal trademarks or anything (I don't think LCARS was marked with a TM sybol @ startrek.com). It's just that I NEED a second opinion (because I don't trust myself enough to just rely on my own :) )...

And my software will be a freeware...

So waddoya think?


-JR-

Basically you can go to the point of making a exact duplicate of whatever it is you are making...but when a lawsuit will be knocking at your LCARS terminal will be the day you make $$$ off of your program. the point is not to make any $$$ from it and your ok.

Thanks again. Where would I be in my programming career without you guys... :D

-JR-

From my knowledge I didn't think you use anything that was copyrighted at all, regardless of whether you sell it or not.

Say, for example, I made exact duplicates of the Barbie dolls (not that I would, mind) and just gave these away for free to everyone. I would still get my arse whooped.

If you tried using the Starfleet insignia you could be in for a serious whooping if they found out. And that's the key, them finding out.

Copyright's a strange beast, you're not really allowed to invite a group of friends over to watch a video you've hired either, but no-one gives a monkeys about that.

The best thing to do is visit the governments site for whatever country you're in and read up on their copyright laws and also the international copyright laws.

Also, ask the company who's stuff you want to copy, explaining what you're doing and the reasons for it and see what they say.

It's not a question of whether you're legally allowed to do it though, because you're not. The question is whether anybody will care. Generally, the point at which they would have strong objections is if you start to make money (or profit in any other manner) on the back of their copyrighted material.

or if the name of your company is Napster Inc..:D
It is a shame all that good tech is going to go to waste...Probibly:(

Quote:

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Originally posted by Jareware
Thanks again. Where would I be in my programming career without you guys...

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We have careers here :confused:


j/k :p

failing that you can always mail the people who create star trek and ask them if they wouldn't mind if you used some of these stuff and explained that it is freeware,

What is the program that you are making it sounds very interesting ??

Not strictly true here, if you look at a load of banners, buttons etc on the net, you can get "whooped" for using these on your site (which you aren't making any money from).

I normally get the details of the people I'm nicking the stuff off & mail them, 90% of the time you'll find they let you as you're just a 1 man operation ...

Quote:

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Originally posted by ExtremePimpness
or if the name of your company is Napster Inc..:D
It is a shame all that good tech is going to go to waste...Probibly:(

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Thankfully some dude is planning to set up an offshore swapping service on a lawless island called Sealand off the coast of britain

Quote:

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Originally posted by zmerlinz
What is the program that you are making it sounds very interesting ??

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Don't get too excited about it (although I am very :) ), it's going to be just a program that allows you to send files, instant messages, pictures and hyperlinks over a lan. It's kinda primitive, but it works fine and looks cool. Oh, and where I'm going to use the lcars interface was just an idea to make a few alternate versions of it, kinda like different skins. And one of them would be a StarTrek one.

Altough couldn't I use the word lcars and the style of it since neither one of them was marked with a copyright or TM symbols?

And zmerlinz, I can send you a copy when it's done, if you want one :D


-JR-

as there is no tm or copyright symbol with the lcars thing i assume you will be alright, but the tv company that owns star trek may have control over it, but you should be ok with it.

i would love a copy of your program when it is finshed, email me a copy at [email protected]

cheers

Sure. Oh if you happen to have more than one computer in a lan, I could use a little beta-testing. If you want I can send you a beta version (has about all the functionality but lacks the help, about and some of the user interface fancying in many forms), and you could try it a few times, and if you (or maybe I should just say When you) find any bugs, you could drop me a line or something. I mean, if you have the time and interest, of course.


-JR-

sure i will beta test it for you, just email it to me, i am off to bed now but i will send you a bug report asap

i emailed a company and asked them for some logos and stuff that i could use of theirs, so that i wouldn't be just "stealing" them off of their site. They were fine about it and sent me some. No mention of copyrights.

That's why I put in the above, on my web site (that I might finish before the next millenium :D), I've made a word file with all the sites information (i.e. - Ms have a site that says "you can use this logo as long as ..."), as well as countless e-mail responses from other web sites I've asked to link to (so no-one can come back to me at a later date ;) )

But how are you supposed to approach startrek.com for example? Even better example would be microsoft, which has carefully designed the whole site so that if someone would like to send feedback or ask something, it takes you about two hours to find the form or address to mail to, of course assuming there is one on the whole site.

Well, the point is, you usually don't find an address from wich you can simply ask a real person about things like this...


-JR-

Thanks, I'll do just that.

zmerlinz, how is it going with the testing (sorry, just can't wait :))?


-JR-