3 Replies Latest reply: Jul 5, 2011 2:51 PM by able123 RSS

    DVD logo (and Compact Disk Digital Audio logo)

    JayNewWeb Community Member

      Our business is producing marketing DVDs and audio CDs that we'll be distributing at no cost for promotional purposes.

       

      It was suggested to me by a consultant in this field to use the "official" DVD and CD logos.

       

      However, on reading up on it quite a bit, it's obvious that without proper protocols being followed and guidelines being met, it's technically illegal to do so.

       

      We're probably going to produce them in-house for awhile, and we aren't set up to be complying with the official requirements.

       

      I realize that it's used all the time without proper compliance anyway, and that with only a few thousand promotional discs distributed it's not likely anyone will be coming after us.

       

      Just the same, I thoughts I'd come here to ask for an opinion or two.

       

      How bad does it make us look to our audience if we use them?

       

      If we don't use them, are there any alternative suggestions?

       

      Thanks!

       

      Jay

        • 1. Re: DVD logo (and Compact Disk Digital Audio logo)
          shooternz Community Member

          I use them in a very minor way with no compunction when I provided a label on a disk,...to identify exactly what the disk I am providing to a user is.

           

          I dont sweat it at all.

           

          Otherwise make your own little CD or DVD logo.

          • 2. Re: DVD logo (and Compact Disk Digital Audio logo)
            JSS1138 CommunityMVP

            For two or three copies on a wedding video, I'd not worry.

             

            For a few thousand copies going to unknown people, I'd be nervous about using it.

            • 3. Re: DVD logo (and Compact Disk Digital Audio logo)
              Community Member

              its technically illegal to do so , cause its not being manufactured to the standards ( copyrights ) for dvd or cd with buying the right to do it .

               

              sooo, basically, lets say you pirate movies and sell them ( shoot movies with hd cam in theatre and sell them in bars etc ).. and put logo and labels on those things to make them look cool... " official ".. thats illegal.  It's a rip off of the product and also a ripoff of the logos etc.. all the copyrighted and rights protected ( not to mention the quality implied from the real deal .. which low and behold isnt available on the pirated stuff ...like " why is there someones head and a bag of popcorn in the foreground of my " movie " experience ?" ... is out the window when you start using or buying logos and so on that you dont have the right to produce.

               

              There are no police out there in the world to knock down your door in the middle of the night and arrest you for using anything like that... even if you had a million dollar enterprise doing it.  Its very hard to enforce copyright stuff in this world, especially when entire countries ( like China not to mention any names ) won't enforce the laws.

               

              Does it hurt the business of " making the products " ? like movies ?  No, not really.  It's only several millions of dollars lost in revenue to the business per year as opposed to the many millions of dollars in profit from legal use and distribution.  In other words, low life theft of logos and content is not yet killing off the business.. it just hurts a little bit.  Only millions.  I would guess that other theft and corruption is hurting us more than this issue.

               

              My union agreement with producers of movies dictates that 3 pennies ... 3 cents... gets contributed to our pension welfare fund for every DVD sold, if we worked on the movie - a certain amount of skill involved .  When you think of a million of a DVD sold ( lets say, " Snakes Attack Earth , The Movie ! " )  that 3 cents doesn't amount to much...  until you actually think about funding the pension plans and health insurance and so on... at which point it means A LOT .  But my impression is that dishonesty and competition in the realm of pirates and low life people ( dark alleys ) has nothing to do with anything but making money -- even if it is off some " snake oil " potion that cures every ailment known to mankind ....know what I mean?   -- buy this DVD and it has the logo etc but it does ( sorry ) have heads with popcorn in foreground and not so great sound quality .... or worse... it is A GOOD pirated copy ! )--- is just peanuts compared to really dishonest people in todays global economy.

               

              Sooo, in short... do what you want, you'll probably not get caught or punished. Your conscience is your guide.

               

              And since we are talking in the lounge, where it happens to be BEER THIRTY ! YIPEE.... I have this question for you all....as I grab another yoodle off the rack ....

               

              would you rather be ...... ( this from simon and garfunkle album I just pirated off a cd from the library !!!!! if recording it onto my computer is pirating....than I am GUILTY ..... while if I just listen to it on my computer after returning it to the library is OK ???? ).. anyway, as I asked...would you rather be...

               

              sparrow than a snail

               

              hammer than a nail

               

              forest than a street

               

              dvd than a cd

               

              snake than a rake