LastGas Said it best, "Touchy Issue."
Frank Sargent: "Does it matter?" Yes, it does. Ask Spec Cast who made the first diecast Texaco toy airplane without Texaco's permission. It was stopped and they were sued. Ask the people who own the Reddy Killowatt electric image. They catch you..they definitely will sue. Go to a print shop and try to use an image like Texaco on a business card and they (the good print shops) will make you jump through hoops to prove you have permission to use it. (I am working on a business card for hobby purposes and have run into that issue)Ask John Lennon (can't he is dead) about using the line "Here come old flat top..." in the song "Come Together". He borrowed it and was sued and lost. Big $$$. I can go on and on for examples.
Seth: Absolutely correct. Good luck trying to collect any damages for someone using your image. Almost like trying to unring a bell.
Bob Richards: Correct about signed releases. Look how his intellectual proprty was misused.
Roger Cherry's comment is a classic. "Only trying to help." I am sure his intentions were honest and honorable. But, that's when things often go wrong. I am sure Roger was not trying to do anything wrong. Seems like a decent person.
If you watch those "Cop" shows on TV and when they show some people with the faces blocked out while you can see others... It means they don't have permission or signed releases to show their faces. They are diferent than a news program. Anyway....fun issue to debate.
