Quote:
Originally posted by Janerz222
It's my (albeit completely non-legally-trained) understanding that you do not have the right to copy graphics from any websites. (That's the beauty of links!) This would be especially true for trademarked items such as our crests, company logos, etc.
Just because anyone can view it on our inter/national website does not mean anyone can copy it and use it on their own site, paper, t-shirt, advertisement, yadda yadda yadda. . .
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You have a correct understanding. And has been pointed out earlier, "fair use" (including parody) is a defense to a legal action claiming
copyright infringement. Not so sure how equally it would apply to trademark infringement, which is what unauthorized use of coats of arms would fall under.
ETA: Upon thinking about further, I'm not sure whether unauthorized use of a coat of arms would be trademark/registered mark infringement or copyright infringement (or both). Probably depends on the actual protection a GLO has obtained for its coat of arms.