Copyright Law
Copyright Law
I am seeing a lot of people on Ebay and FB making reproduction displays of Matchbox merchandise including the now defunct Matchbox Club and their displays. How are they getting around this or are the copyrights no longer valid. Just curious as I am thinking of doing the same.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for looking, John
"For everyone you pass up, your always one behind"
Thanks for looking, John
"For everyone you pass up, your always one behind"
-
GHOSTHUNTER
- Moderator
- Posts: 12249
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 4:12 pm
Re: Copyright Law
Display stands are not usually controlled by copyright themselves but may be included within intelectual rights of the company who's products are displayed.
'Brand' names on display stands can be controlled by copyright and in the case of Lesney, they had many of their products brand names registered towards the late 1960's, look for the capitol letter 'R' in a circle at the end of the word MATCHBOX on packaging and catalogues etc.
If during active business operations any infringement can be seen by the owners of a brand name, they will seek action through their legal department (if they have one!), through the courts. In the case of Matchbox, the current owners may turn a blind eye to this sort of business venture if it is not being done on a huge scale with a large monetary reward, so for the collector/enthusiasts to do this is not usually a problem.
Ghosthunter.
'Brand' names on display stands can be controlled by copyright and in the case of Lesney, they had many of their products brand names registered towards the late 1960's, look for the capitol letter 'R' in a circle at the end of the word MATCHBOX on packaging and catalogues etc.
If during active business operations any infringement can be seen by the owners of a brand name, they will seek action through their legal department (if they have one!), through the courts. In the case of Matchbox, the current owners may turn a blind eye to this sort of business venture if it is not being done on a huge scale with a large monetary reward, so for the collector/enthusiasts to do this is not usually a problem.
Ghosthunter.