Editing Clip Art Images

[bbsue]

Is it legal to edit the clip art images? I've read the EULA and didn't see
that question reference in there. I'm particularly interested in changing
colors or omiting details. I've experimented with editing them .wmf images in
Word 2003 and, especially, in Adobe Illustrator CS, with very satisfactory
results.

[Mary Sauer]

Sure you can change the images. I wrote an article addressing just this subject.
Make clip art look original in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011196801033.aspx
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Is it legal to edit the clip art images? I've read the EULA and didn't see
that question reference in there. I'm particularly interested in changing
colors or omiting details. I've experimented with editing them .wmf images in
Word 2003 and, especially, in Adobe Illustrator CS, with very satisfactory
results.

[bbsue]

Good article. Thank you.

Are there any guidelines regarding at what point a clip has been changed
enough that it actually IS "original"? For example, if I wanted to create a
logo for a dog groomer and I started with an existing clip of a dog . . . .
is it possible to change it enough that it would become "mine"? I realize
that brushes and filters are not enough, and that just replacing colors and
removing a few details are not enough, but if I disassembled the dog and made
him a very different animal, is he "mine" now? I've done this for years "not
for profit" and find it much easier than creating totally from scratch. I've
taken clips that were similar in style and mixed and rearranged portions of
them to make something unique. I don't draw well . . . but I edit extremely
well.

I think I'd be OK doing this in situations where the image wasn't the "real
value", but what about a logo?

Post by Mary Sauer
Sure you can change the images. I wrote an article addressing just this subject.
Make clip art look original in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011196801033.aspx
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Is it legal to edit the clip art images? I've read the EULA and didn't see
that question reference in there. I'm particularly interested in changing
colors or omiting details. I've experimented with editing them .wmf images in
Word 2003 and, especially, in Adobe Illustrator CS, with very satisfactory
results.

[Mary Sauer]

Logos are different.
This is what the Publisher EULA says:
You may not license or distribute any of the Media Elements that include
representations of
identifiable individuals, governments, logos, initials, emblems, trademarks, or
entities for any commercial purposes or to express or imply any endorsement or
association with any product, service, entity, or activity.
The whole text
http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Publisher_2003_English_a1777167-b6fb-48e5-84e3-75edc08c6a87.pdf

Lots of legalese here
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/permissions/default.mspx#E4
It talks about a company logo...
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Good article. Thank you.
Are there any guidelines regarding at what point a clip has been changed
enough that it actually IS "original"? For example, if I wanted to create a
logo for a dog groomer and I started with an existing clip of a dog . . . .
is it possible to change it enough that it would become "mine"? I realize
that brushes and filters are not enough, and that just replacing colors and
removing a few details are not enough, but if I disassembled the dog and made
him a very different animal, is he "mine" now? I've done this for years "not
for profit" and find it much easier than creating totally from scratch. I've
taken clips that were similar in style and mixed and rearranged portions of
them to make something unique. I don't draw well . . . but I edit extremely
well.
I think I'd be OK doing this in situations where the image wasn't the "real
value", but what about a logo?

Post by Mary Sauer
Sure you can change the images. I wrote an article addressing just this subject.
Make clip art look original in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011196801033.aspx
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Is it legal to edit the clip art images? I've read the EULA and didn't see
that question reference in there. I'm particularly interested in changing
colors or omiting details. I've experimented with editing them .wmf images in
Word 2003 and, especially, in Adobe Illustrator CS, with very satisfactory
results.

[bbsue]

So, I'm guessing the bottom line has to do with just how different it is . .
. if it is remotely recognizable, it's illegal. It its been manipulated
enough to be totally unrecognizable, it's probably allright?

I've been doing this kind of thing for my church for years, and I'm finally
being asked to do work for other organizations. I'm just wanting to define my
boundaries clearly. Thank you for yoru help.

Post by Mary Sauer
Logos are different.
You may not license or distribute any of the Media Elements that include
representations of
identifiable individuals, governments, logos, initials, emblems, trademarks, or
entities for any commercial purposes or to express or imply any endorsement or
association with any product, service, entity, or activity.
The whole text
http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Publisher_2003_English_a1777167-b6fb-48e5-84e3-75edc08c6a87.pdf
Lots of legalese here
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/permissions/default.mspx#E4
It talks about a company logo...
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Good article. Thank you.
Are there any guidelines regarding at what point a clip has been changed
enough that it actually IS "original"? For example, if I wanted to create a
logo for a dog groomer and I started with an existing clip of a dog . . . .
is it possible to change it enough that it would become "mine"? I realize
that brushes and filters are not enough, and that just replacing colors and
removing a few details are not enough, but if I disassembled the dog and made
him a very different animal, is he "mine" now? I've done this for years "not
for profit" and find it much easier than creating totally from scratch. I've
taken clips that were similar in style and mixed and rearranged portions of
them to make something unique. I don't draw well . . . but I edit extremely
well.
I think I'd be OK doing this in situations where the image wasn't the "real
value", but what about a logo?

Post by Mary Sauer
Sure you can change the images. I wrote an article addressing just this subject.
Make clip art look original in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA011196801033.aspx
--
Mary Sauer MSFT MVP
http://office.microsoft.com/
http://msauer.mvps.org/
news://msnews.microsoft.com

Post by bbsue
Is it legal to edit the clip art images? I've read the EULA and didn't see
that question reference in there. I'm particularly interested in changing
colors or omiting details. I've experimented with editing them .wmf images in
Word 2003 and, especially, in Adobe Illustrator CS, with very satisfactory
results.