Angel policies

[stampin stacy]

How in the world are we the consumers supposed to keep up with who owns the the rights to images when the companies and/or the artwork for some stamps keep getting sold, merged, traded etc.

Which company's angel policy applies? I just found one of the images I have on a totally different company website, I have no idea when that happened. My head hurts sometimes just thinking about all the changes over the years.:confusion: Not that I sell my stuff but some companies are picky about uploads to online galleries too.

[CatStamper]

I just found one of the images I have on a totally different company website, I have no idea when that happened.


Sometimes the image is actually with more than one company. Seems sometimes more than one will pick up the same copyright free clip art (or vintage) image and turn it into a stamp, plus or minus some variations. I know I have seen the same image by multiple current companies simultaneously.

Kate

[stampin stacy]

Kate, I've noticed that as well but it is my understanding that while you may have purchased a stamp that came from the royalty free clip art out there, the angel policies for the company you purchased from still apply. This particular stamp is not from that pool anyway I don't think.

It's so hard to keep up sometimes though. The stamp in question right now was an Anita's Art Stamp. Some how her stamps eventually went under the Sugarloaf "umbrella", which we all know is now another company called Inque. Confusing enough but I found this image at Rubber Stampede last night, huh?! This is not the first time I've wondered who a stamp "belonged" to either, lol. Guess if I ever get accused of breaking some one's rules, I'll just plead insanity!

I was going to post a picture of the image but it's not working right now, will try again later. I've double check resolution and image size, the net is just wonky right now I guess.

[piecesandpom]

I have this website that I check:
http://www.littlebit.com/angelList/angellistcomplete.htm.
Someone is keeping it pretty up to date. I also use Google if I have to; I
found Alma's Cats Pajamas that way. Oh, my wish list for those cats and
dogs. . .

I've got to the point where I try very hard NOT to buy from companies
that aren't angel. I don't have a problem using a copyright stamp if one is
required, but since I do eventually want to sell my stuff, not always at a
craft fair, it just 'ain't worth the darn $s!' I also fugetabout the
companies that only let you do 40, etc. of their stamp. . .what the heck is
that all about? I'm supposed to count and remember from a year or more
ago? ? ? :)) I like to 'mix it up.'

And, I've been stamping less than a year and a half. . .can't believe the
$s I spent before I realized this might be a problem! And only 'cause my
daughter and I were trying to raise funds for her trip as a People-to-
People sports ambassador last summer did I learn and worry about this.

[CatStamper]

Kate, I've noticed that as well but it is my understanding that while you may have purchased a stamp that came from the royalty free clip art out there, the angel policies for the company you purchased from still apply. This particular stamp is not from that pool anyway I don't think.

It's so hard to keep up sometimes though. The stamp in question right now was an Anita's Art Stamp. Some how her stamps eventually went under the Sugarloaf "umbrella", which we all know is now another company called Inque. Confusing enough but I found this image at Rubber Stampede last night, huh?! This is not the first time I've wondered who a stamp "belonged" to either, lol. Guess if I ever get accused of breaking some one's rules, I'll just plead insanity!

I was going to post a picture of the image but it's not working right now, will try again later. I've double check resolution and image size, the net is just wonky right now I guess.

Stacy - maybe I'm looking at this too simply... but I would assume if I purchased a stamp from a company with an angel policy (that maybe requires me to credit the company) it should be OK if I just credit the company I bought it from, e.g. in most cases for me, whatever company is listed on the stamp mount. I would think my obligation is to the company I bought the stamp from, even if they no longer are in business, and that whatever policies there were in place back when I bought the stamp should still apply. It's not really my problem that it's been resold three times since then, is it???

I would think if you're crediting your original source (company that produced the stamp you are using) that should be sufficient. But maybe I'm missing something here, and I'm certainly not experienced in publishing or selling my stamp art.

Kate

[stampinlinda]

I agree that it can be confusing about companies policies and how they allow you to use their images. I also don't use images from companies that won't allow me to sell my hand-stamped items (some companies should be less restrictive). Which means, I regularly check the companies policies that I own stamps from and when purchasing stamps from a company that I have never purchased from before, I will check out what their Angel Policy is. If they don't allow me to sell my creations, I don't buy from them.

I do sell my cards to retail stores, so I don't want to have to worry about if the image is OK.

[alsmouse]

OK, since this is a massive puzzle on the copyright issue, I checked with at copyright lawyer. Unless the original company also sold their copyright when they sold their product, the original angel policy still exists. If however, they sold their copyright along with the their product it switches to the new company's angel policy. So, unless they state that they own the old company's copyright they don't have a leg to stand on.
Hopefully that clears up the angel policy question.
~C8>

[laos348]

I'm another one who won't buy from a company if they don't allow me to sell my items using their image. I look for angel policies as soon as I find a new company. And if they don't have anything listed, I email them and 99% of the time, you get an answer back right away.

Laura