Permission and Copyright Questions

from WinCustomize Forums
I am beginning to explore SkinStudio, and while I am far, far from making anything worth uploading, I'd like to make sure I do things right from the start.

When I Chose to create a new skin in SkinStudio, it automatically filled in all the bits and pieces with a generic XP style (blue). Is this style considered "public domain" and OK to use as a base for new skins? I find it much less confusing to Select a component and Change (Replace) the bits to my freshly created bitmaps than it would be to have something completely blank and empty to be filled in.

Would my skin be a Rip if I neglected to change one little arrow? What about the Widget plugins I noticed? They come with SkinStudio, but have their authorship well documented. Are these meant to also be public domain?

Thanks! And please excuse funky Capitalization, I'm being a bit overzealous about avoiding the forum censor!
rabidrobot
wincustomize
8,612 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The default Blue Luna is meant to be a guide/template, it's not really "public domain", and you should replace of it as much as possible. But on the other hand, if you don't change every little thing, if you leave one little arrow or three, you won't be branded a ripper. Just replace most of it with your own stuff, and don't leave any major bits unchanged, and you'll be OK.

Widgets are meant to be used in skin creation, or in some cases are uploaded to be used as a template. These are also not really "public domain", but you're more than welcome to use them. If you do use some, please give credit to the widget author(s).





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Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This looks like it might be the right place to put this under.

My question is, on a wallpaper design I am making, if I put the 4 colored windows squares on it, do I have to get permisssion from Microsoft, and I'm sure they wouldn't give it! Thanks!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Nope you obviousl ydont, do you think all uses have gotten approval. Legally you would but in the skinning world you dont.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Legally you would but in the skinning world you dont.


Actually it is more correctly a case of 'fair use', and not the 'skinning world' flouting copyright law as implied...
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
"fair use" as in not getting paid, or does "fair use" have to do with something else? If I put a Green Bay Packer helmut on a wallpaper, will they consider it "fair use"? Go Packers!
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I dont know sports teams get pisseed but if oyu arent making money off of it and noone is profiting why would they care, unless of course it really sucked and they thought you were defamign the team or some stupid stuff.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The US football code protects its copyrights...and will not water down its public image through uncertified dissemination of its corporate image.

In other words you CANNOT use images from the games. etc without express permission.

Copyright protection has no interest or differentiation with whether the use is for monetary gain or not....either way the use of an image, etc is forbidden without consent of the copy holder.

Ignore #7 as that is an uninformed opinion not based in fact...

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you for your thoughts UGC, and thank you Admin Jafo for clarifying the answer!
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sorry about that but then how can you have fan sites. Legally you cant but you shouldnt worry about using it. Otherwise how can you have a fan site? It is a really weird law, I know that if you use their colors and use a type font that is not the one they use and Type GB that shouldnt be illegal. Would it jafo?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Cheeseheads might not bother with you, but you would surely feel the weight of the aging empire of H.R.H.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OK Essencay, what does H.R.H. stand for?
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Fan sites are 'mostly' ignored or endured by the copyright holders....but that does not make their content intrinsically legitimate.

Some companies/corporations do NOT like their property being 'lauded' on 'fan sites' as any dilution of their corporate image can be argued as detrimental to their stock value.

Some others 'may' see it as 'free advertising', but imagine their horror if they discovered their product/name associated with some porn site or similar.....even if only through banner advertising going 'off colour and inappropriate'.

Some companies and sporting groups have been approached in the past and some of those have simply said 'no' so that ends the story....

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
His or Her Royal Highness....GB = Great Britain http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page418.asp
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thank you UGC, Admin Jafo, and Essencay, there will be no Green Bay Packer wallpaper!