Copywright Question

from WinCustomize Forums
Ok, I have an odd and probably obvious question about copywrights on icons.

Is it ok to like alter/reproduce/add to programs icons as long as you give credit?
Like I see a lot of icon packs that have the little adobe photoshop icon as part of another icon (a photoshop file or whatever)
Im also asking because I cannot find a good object-dock icon for a program I use a lot and I want to reproduce the small icon so that it looks good as a big icon....sorry if that made no sense, lol.
3,114 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think so, but you also have to get the original author's permission first.

Powered by SkinBrowser!
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
so like say i wanted to use the little adobe photoshop icon as part of an icon i made, i would have to write adobe to ask permission first?
Because i see a few iconpackager themes that use the photoshop icon, and like tons of microsoft app. icons in their icons
DeskScapes - Bring your desktop background to life.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you go by the general flow of the site, no. I'm 99% positive all the app icons here weren't made after receiving permission. I think the policy is that you are using whatever icon you make *for* that app, so it is 'fair use' (wink wink, nudge nudge).

So if you are asking if it is okay to put app icons in your suites, i'd say *here* yes, but technically, no. You're still making derivative work from someone else's graphics without expressed permission. The icon sections of most sites are stuffed full of them, though, so it seemes the 'common law' says it's okay.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
baker is essentially correct.

An icon is a created product just like anything else and subject to the laws of copyright.
However....skinning creates a new concept previously not properly addressed by copyright law.
We 'convert, modify or adapt' a program's 'default' icon to create an alternate interface that 'enhances' both the OS and the proggy itself....something not conceptualized during the formation of the 'law'......so it gets lumped in with 'fair use' provisions.

Provided the Photoshop icon is used to create the interface/button for Photoshop then 'generally' it is seen as 'not illegal'. If however you use the icon to make a start button for Quake 3 instead [for some silly reason], then it could be easily argued that it is a straight rip, and not an extension of the original proggy.

It is one of the 'touchier' subjects in skinning....but the various companies such as Adobe, etc have not batted an eyebrow...although the same cannot be said for Apple...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not to forget that it is a good promotion somehow, the software companies don't have to pay for IMHO.

Powered by SkinBrowser!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Alright thanx guys...Ill upload my icons then