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Soup Of The Day · 02-04-2008, 15:34

The Rubik's Cube was invented back in the 70's, and is definitely under some copyrights, but there are litterally hundreds of clones.

My question is, do you think I could I use an image like this one in some printed marketing material?

Loyalist · 02-04-2008, 15:46

That's entirely upto you. Obviously the marketing causes customer attraction so at the end of the day, it's making you/your business money and thus is illegal. If you was using it in a web banner or for something strictly non-commercial, I wouldn't see a problem.

In my opinion there are too many people out there that know what a rubix cube is (Yes, even in this day and age

) and there's bound to be one loser that will pull either you or the rightful people.

In my opinion, Create your own. Do a simple vector that captures the shape and design but try and make less similar to the real thing. They can't copyright the overall shape now, can they

Do Gooder · 02-04-2008, 15:47

i ain't no expert.. but would guess it depends on the context.

don't go of the fact that there's rubik clones... it's near impossible to impose copyright/patents in the likes of Vietnam - and just as hard to stop the imports.

one way to test the water is to see if there's any stock shot sites selling images featuring rubik cubes

i can remember producing a logo that featured an outline of a 'Quink' ink bottle.. got the "don't quote me, but you'll be OK" from the copyright lawyers on that one.

Soup Of The Day · 04-04-2008, 09:52

I followed your advice, Do Gooder, and checked some of the popular Stock Photo sites. It looks like none of them have a Rubik's Cube picture on them, which tells me they would be violating copyrights if they did. Scratch that idea!

Thanks guys.

Pugsley · 04-04-2008, 10:05

similar topic but diff0erent product. I worked for a magazine a while back which was designed by a one man band design company. On his website he had an image of a tic tac box which had changed so it said tac tics? Surely thats a violation of copyright as well.

Do Gooder · 04-04-2008, 10:13

probably - as he is messing with a more than likley trademarked logo and possibly patented sweety case?

folks tend to factor in whether the owners of the copyright will notice/care enough to file some sort of cease and desist/damages claim.

d*d · 04-04-2008, 12:03

There's a removal firm by me which uses the incredibles in all it's marketing material (including van graphics) and i'm guessing they didn't ask Pixar or Disney first

02-04-2008, 15:34	#1 (permalink)
Soup Of The Day Non Stop Pop Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 947	Rubik's Cube as a design element - copyright issues? The Rubik's Cube was invented back in the 70's, and is definitely under some copyrights, but there are litterally hundreds of clones. My question is, do you think I could I use an image like this one in some printed marketing material?

04-04-2008, 10:05	#5 (permalink)
Pugsley L'me at'em. L'me at'em. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 2,297	similar topic but diff0erent product. I worked for a magazine a while back which was designed by a one man band design company. On his website he had an image of a tic tac box which had changed so it said tac tics? Surely thats a violation of copyright as well. __________________ If your colours are starting to run, let them all run, run away from you. Flux - Bloc Party Design Never Dies A message to newcomers. This is not google. Before you ask us here why not try typing it into google. 60% of the time it works every time.

04-04-2008, 10:13	#6 (permalink)
Do Gooder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,486	probably - as he is messing with a more than likley trademarked logo and possibly patented sweety case? folks tend to factor in whether the owners of the copyright will notice/care enough to file some sort of cease and desist/damages claim. Last edited by Do Gooder : 04-04-2008 at 10:32.

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02-04-2008, 15:46	#2 (permalink)
Loyalist Designer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Liverpool Posts: 206	That's entirely upto you. Obviously the marketing causes customer attraction so at the end of the day, it's making you/your business money and thus is illegal. If you was using it in a web banner or for something strictly non-commercial, I wouldn't see a problem. In my opinion there are too many people out there that know what a rubix cube is (Yes, even in this day and age ) and there's bound to be one loser that will pull either you or the rightful people. In my opinion, Create your own. Do a simple vector that captures the shape and design but try and make less similar to the real thing. They can't copyright the overall shape now, can they

02-04-2008, 15:47	#3 (permalink)
Do Gooder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,486	i ain't no expert.. but would guess it depends on the context. don't go of the fact that there's rubik clones... it's near impossible to impose copyright/patents in the likes of Vietnam - and just as hard to stop the imports. one way to test the water is to see if there's any stock shot sites selling images featuring rubik cubes i can remember producing a logo that featured an outline of a 'Quink' ink bottle.. got the "don't quote me, but you'll be OK" from the copyright lawyers on that one.

04-04-2008, 09:52	#4 (permalink)
Soup Of The Day Non Stop Pop Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 947	I followed your advice, Do Gooder, and checked some of the popular Stock Photo sites. It looks like none of them have a Rubik's Cube picture on them, which tells me they would be violating copyrights if they did. Scratch that idea! Thanks guys.

04-04-2008, 12:03	#7 (permalink)
d*d Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bristol Posts: 3,300	There's a removal firm by me which uses the incredibles in all it's marketing material (including van graphics) and i'm guessing they didn't ask Pixar or Disney first

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