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#1
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Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Wo
Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word?
I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |
#2
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Of course Microsoft doesn't own it. That's like saying that Kodak owns all
the photos because they made the film and the camera. If you created the template, then you own it, and indeed the whole point of copyright law is to protect someone in your position. But proving it is another matter, particularly with designs used on the web. If all that's involved is a few thousand dollars and your pride, then swallow it and walk away unless you really think your money belongs in a lawyer's bank account. At least, don't do anything while you're still angry. "Karen" wrote in message ... Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word? I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |
#3
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Thanks for your reply & wisdom
"Jezebel" wrote: Of course Microsoft doesn't own it. That's like saying that Kodak owns all the photos because they made the film and the camera. If you created the template, then you own it, and indeed the whole point of copyright law is to protect someone in your position. But proving it is another matter, particularly with designs used on the web. If all that's involved is a few thousand dollars and your pride, then swallow it and walk away unless you really think your money belongs in a lawyer's bank account. At least, don't do anything while you're still angry. "Karen" wrote in message ... Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word? I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |
#4
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You almost certainly own the copyright. Go and see your legal advisor.
Bill Gates owns nothing that *you* have designed in Word. The only grey issues concern the use of some of Microsoft's artwork that you may have included. -- Graham Mayor - Word MVP My web site www.gmayor.com Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org Karen wrote: Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word? I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |
#5
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Hi Graham,
thanks for your response I designed all the graphics myself, except for client logos. After reading the answers here, I'm going to strike up a trade deal with a lawyer so I can find out how to fight the annoying thief-woman. It just irks me so much that she's earned thousands of dollars from my work, especially when her own web site is littered with copyright notices and anti-right-click coding. She insists 10 "professionals" told her that Bill Gates owned the copyright - silly woman. Thanks people for the replies. Seeya "Graham Mayor" wrote: You almost certainly own the copyright. Go and see your legal advisor. Bill Gates owns nothing that *you* have designed in Word. The only grey issues concern the use of some of Microsoft's artwork that you may have included. -- Graham Mayor - Word MVP My web site www.gmayor.com Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org Karen wrote: Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word? I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |
#6
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Just a side note, Adobe Distiller has options to password protect any
changes being made to a .pdf file that you create. I do design work for several people and I "lock" my work to avoid someone from changing the content. Good luck! "Karen" wrote in message ... Who owns the copyright on graphic design layouts prepared in MS Word? I designed a professional layout for a retail catalog using MS Word and custom graphics, saved as Adobe PDF for easy download. The design is used by several clients, who save money because it's simple to change the colour scheme, logo and product range. Each client who uses the template receives notification that the design is copyright to me - they avoid high graphic design fees based on this agreement. But... one of those clients duplicated my design and refuses to pay or remove it from her web site. She's earned thousands of dollars from stealing my design, so I'm pretty angry about it. She says Bill Gates owns the copyright of everything designed in Word, so I want to check before I spend money on legal advice. I doubt very much if Microsoft owns copyright on everything written/designed in Word. What do you think? |