On 9 August 2010 12:15, Carcharoth <carcharothwp(a)googlemail.com> wrote:
You may be right. Changing subject slightly, does that
argument apply
with currency counterfeiting laws? I know this thread isn't about
currency images, but Commons does actually pay a fair amount of
respect to concerns that currency could be counterfeited, which has
always surprised me somewhat, given that most currencies now use
security methods that no high-resolution image will help with when
counterfeiting.
As FT2 says below, a distinction is that making a clear copy of an
image of a banknote is often by definition illegal, regardless of
context or reason, unless you do things like stamp "SPECIMEN" on it or
print it in false colours or somesuch. The FBI are trying to argue
that copying their seal falls under a similar provision - you cannot
make copies of the seal, end of story - whilst we are arguing that the
law actually says "you cannot make *badges* and other identifying
things with the seal on it".
As the judges say, we are prepared to distinguish ;-)
A good analogy to currency might, perhaps, be a law which prevents you
minting your own coins - but doesn't actually stop you making pictures
of the designs on them.
--
- Andrew Gray
andrew.gray(a)dunelm.org.uk