Copyright Information
Budget Printing values the respect of copyright legislation and is an advocate for the consideration and protection of copyright ownership. This page is a brief review of copyright issues as they apply to printed material, for client reference.
Note also the links at the bottom of this page to some helpful online resources.
Firstly, here are some statements about the understanding implicit between Budget Printing and its customers:
COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP: Under copyright law, the designer is the owner of all files and artwork created for the client, and client shall be the owner of the end product (e.g. a business card). Release of electronic files to the client is at the discretion of the designer who may require a separate fee or assign this transfer of copyright under fees already paid.
LIABILITY LIMIT: Budget Printing's liability for any job shall be limited to design fees paid. Budget Printing cannot be held liable for any consequential or special damages such as profit losses.
CLIENT WARRANTIES: Client warrants that their supplied Properties (logos, images, etc.) will not knowingly violate any law or regulations or infringe upon or violate the copyright, trademark, or other proprietary right(s) or confidential information of any third party, or violate any right of privacy. If these representations shall be untrue or this warranty is breached, client agrees to hold harmless Budget Printing, as well as any of its officers, directors, employees and agents, from any and all liability, damages, losses, claims, actions, judgments, and costs, including attorney's fees, arising as a result of any infringement upon the rights of a third party.
PROMOTIONAL USE: Budget Printing may reproduce any design, artwork or layout in promotional materials such as brochures, mailers, and on this web site. If you do NOT want your project(s) to appear in the studio's promotional materials please send a written request to Budget Printing.
About Copyright
Copyright protection exists automatically for every work that is created, whether or not it is explicitly stated on the work or marked with the © symbol. It is the implicit 'ownership' of the rights to use a work (photograph, document, composition, etc.) including duplication, performance, and so forth. Copyright protection generally remains in effect until 50 years after the death of the author or creator.
The laws that apply to copyright and infringement differ between countries and regions, but should be assumed out of respect for the copyright holder to be in full effect; as well, it may be pertinent to consider how exportation of copyright material is affected by the legilation of both the origin and destination countries/regions.
Photographs
One of the most common instances of the issue of copyright arising in print is the use of photographs, images, pictures, etc. increasingly sourced via the Internet or sometimes from other printed material. This applies to If you are going to use images in your print work, there are many stock photo services online from which you can purchase for a reasonable price the rights to use a professional image.
Other Graphics
Copyright applies also to design work such as logos. If you wish to include on your print material another company's logo (e.g. Better Business Bureau), first contact that company to find out about their policies regarding logo usage; this has the benefit of potentially getting from them the official logo artwork. Other forms of creative work including simple designs, which you may want to use to 'dress up' your artwork, must also be copyright-free or authorized to you specifically.
Duplication
Copying (colour, black-and-white) services, as with any private or commercial copier, imply the diligence of our customer in assuring the respect of appicable copying rights.
Examples of copying which is generally permitted
- single copies for private study and research purposes
- an entire newspaper article or page
- an entire chapter which is 20% or less of a book
- works in the public domain (usually 50 years after the death of the author)
- works for which Budget Printing owns the copyright
Examples of copying which is generally prohibited
- copying of entire works
- systematic, cumulative copying beyond the limits of the Copyright Act
- copying materials for sale
Resources
These reference pages may contain information helpful in dealing with copyright law, should the question of copyright seem to apply to your print job.
