A member in our club as made a 0-6-0 tack loco and is going to paint it blue with a Number 1 on and a Thomas face he has made. Now another member as told him that he could be heading for trouble as some clubs have been told you can not do this because of copyright. Can anyone help on this so I can inform the member.
Tricky one that, I've seen two separate 12"/1ft examples and I very much doubt that they paid anything to the estate of Reverend Awdry.
OTOH, it's a bit tacky!
Mark Rand RTFM
--IMNSHO and speaking strictly as a 'colonist' if that's the state of affairs across the pond it's time for another revolution...
You need to look closer to home Ed. Just try to open an independent motorcycle repair shop with the word "Hog" in the name. Haley Davidson lawyers will be on you're case in no time!
Steve R.
Commercialism is world wide so it will be the same where ever you are in the world, the Audrey family sold off the world wide rights to Thomas years ago. It just depends on whether it is profitable, for the company holding the license for your country, to actively seek out individuals and organisations breaking their license.
Alan
...and not to mention the attempts Budweisser made to prevent the original Czech brewery (that makes decent beer, not pi$$) from using their own name.
And of course the fact that mysteriously, the number of years that copyright lasts in the USA seems to increase at any time that the copyright on M. Mouse gets anywhere near timing out...
To name but a couple of examples.
Regards, Tony
--Agreed we're screwed. Suggest you lot nip it in the bud! :-)
If any railway uses a Thomas face in the UK, if I remember correctly they have to pay 10% of ALL their takings (cafe, souvenirs, tickets etc.) to the licence holder. The only railway that is exempt is the Tallylyn as the Rev Audrey used to work as a volunteer and they have a letter giving them permission in perpetuity.
Cheers
Peter
Music is killing home taping :-(
Mark Rand RTFM
Fair point, but the rot has set in already...
Regards, Tony
If only the copyrignt laws hadn't been bastardised by big business. The original "Queen Anne's Statute" of 1709 was "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning" by giving the copyright holder legal protection for 14 years.
Alan
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