LogoPond Community - Logo timestamping

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Mon, 9 Aug 2010 05:26:47 +0000

Another update. I have put up a comprehensive Q&A that covers most topics surfaced in private exchanges.

"Does it have legal weight?"
"Can it be used for work under the NDA?"
"What to do with older works?"
...

https://beta.certtime.com/faq

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:01:14 +0000

Invite issued

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (Hayes Image) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:14:20 +0000

Done. Invite requested

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:02:47 +0000

My bad, it should've said beta.certtime.com instead of www.certtime.com. Corrected.

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (Hayes Image) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:15:08 +0000

I got a "This Connection is Untrusted" warning right off the bat. ??

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:37:31 +0000

Ahem...

https://beta.certtime.com

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:36:07 +0000

Bump.

As of yesterday the beta has been opened up significantly. One still needs to have an invite to get in, but invites are now issued daily and to virtually everyone who requests them. I'd really love some feedback here with regards to the design, usability and its usefulness. Grab an invite, join in and let me know what you think of it.

Some further, interesting development is in works, and I guess it's not hard to guess what it is given what forum this post is on

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (blueVUE) — Tue, 4 May 2010 16:56:57 +0000

I highly doubt you could update a registered (trademarked/copy-writed) logo. The reason is that you are staking claim to a piece of artwork in a specific state. Any modifications you make to that artwork would be ok (for you do modify the original) as you are the "legal owner" and your derivative work is based on a protected piece. Just as if someone else derived a logo from your work, for them it's not ok unless you have granted them permission to do so.

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (mwgriffin) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:50:07 +0000

epsilon wrote:

I guess it depends on how badly you want the feedback, and how likely you think for your design to be ripped. For example, I have never seen a type-only logos copied. Nor do I remember seeing simple (minimalistic) ones ripped. Also if it's a feedback you are after, you can always collect it and then remove the logo.

Sounds good! I think I'll go ahead and go for it. Here's a question: Can you update a logo that you've registered through the federal government without paying a fee? Can you actually update a logo that you've registered period? It would make sense if you could, but then again a lot of things that make sense, you can't do...

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 07:41:17 +0000

I guess it depends on how badly you want the feedback, and how likely you think for your design to be ripped. For example, I have never seen a type-only logos copied. Nor do I remember seeing simple (minimalistic) ones ripped. Also if it's a feedback you are after, you can always collect it and then remove the logo.

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (mwgriffin) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 06:52:20 +0000

epsilon wrote:

Thanks for the comments, Michael.
> how did you get your experience in website development?
As everyone else did - by copying other people's work...

Haha. That's good to hear! So what do you think about submitting my current WIP logo to logopond? I know there is an inherent risk in posting it anywhere publicly, but I'd love to get some feedback on it. Should I just say screw it and go for it? I feel that at this point there is no protection for my work. Unless I were to register it, which I'm obviously not going to do until it's final... Thoughts?

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 06:19:15 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Michael.

> how did you get your experience in website development?

As everyone else did - by copying other people's work...

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (mwgriffin) — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:25:23 +0000

Hey epsilon this look s like a great idea! I must admit I really want to post the logo I am currently working on on this site, however I am weary of doing so as it would open it up for easy access. Because the logo is not final, I obviously do not want to register it, which ideally would legally protect me from copyright infringement. So to tie this all together, a service such as yours would be very useful, as it would allow me to timestamp my work, providing some peace of mind, and allow me to post an unregistered logo on a site like this (without worrying about someone ripping me off). I eagerly await your consultation with lawyers to see if this type of service would help in legal matters, as well as act simultaneously as a deterrent. And your site is very well put together! Great design, presentation of information, and functionality. Keep up the great work! If you don't mind me asking, how did you get your experience in website development?

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (Darrel) — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 23:17:58 +0000

I think the skepticism is that, at least in the US, there's been the long-held myth that mailing a printout of the work to yourself (basically a time-stamp from the post-office) is a form of legal evidence, but it's not. You pretty much just need to register the stuff. It's not terribly expensive, but AFAIK (again, I'm not a lawyer) that's pretty much the only sure-fire way from a legal standpoint.

Re: Logo timestamping

dummy@example.com (epsilon) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:01:01 +0000

I would certainly consider paying for this copyright protection service IF it had rock-solid legal legitimacy

I am not sure what "rock-solid legal legitimacy" translates to. I suspect you do not mean that one would just copy the timestamp on a USB stick, hand it over to the judge and he would rule in your favor :)

I can obtain a legal opinion on the acceptability of timestamps as a court evidence, but it would still be up to the user of the service to bring it to the court and make a use of it.

.. it's real use may lie as a deterrent

As I said above, I view the deterrence as a secondary function. The primary function is to provide a reliable time reference for asserting the copyright claims. Specifically, for using in takedown notices in cases of blatant rip-offs.

I don't mean that as an insult, I just don't think it really stops anyone.

I don't take it as one. I am quite curious myself to see to what degree this is going to work, if to work at all.