Free Graphics & Photos For Your Labels

[MeatyPortion]

Overloaded with requests I assume?

It was insane. I think I eventually told them all to go **** themselves.



And then went back to doing push-ups.

 

[gregger]

^ I would've said the same.

 

[MeatyPortion]

Thanks for the links, btw, I've been looking for some good resources for beer logos and such.

 

[gregger]

No prob

 

[ShakerD]

OP here. Every single one of you are wrong and right in one way or another. As a graphic artist, portrait/wedding photographer, and someone who teaches basic graphic art to young and old students, I'm cringing as I'm reading a few of these view points, and hell, my viewpoint is right and wrong to some as well.

I just want to say this so you would at least have the vast majorities' guidelines for our work... Of course it's ok to borrow other artists work. We consider our work borrowed when you ask us for permission. Sometimes, we also consider it borrowed when you take it without asking first, as long as you show us what you made with it in the end. But in any circumstance, if you "borrow" something that carries a price tag, without asking, you stole it. Stealing is illegal. If it carries a price tag, and you ask us to use a free copy of it because you only use it in your home brewery, we'll say yes, and email you a usable duplication (the only problem here is I'm sure this isn't the case 100% of the time). But remember - if it is on the internet to be sold - this is our income, and we sell this work for this very reason. We sell it to people who want it. But we'll be ethical and reasonable with you if you are with us. You aren't the decision maker when it comes to use of our work, we are (as well as the laws of course). Please ask, or use good judgment on your own.

Add the sites to your resources if you want. Use your own judgment and keep posting your labels for feedback. I'll probably think to myself "Wow, that's a great painting/photo/graphic on your label." I'll research and find the image, then the artist and look at more of their work anyway.

I would like to thank you for the links.

If you are going to bring up a legality reference and consider something stealing or illegal. Remember you only need to change something a small percentage, I think it's 10%?, for the copyright to no longer apply and therefore not be stealing.

Before you respond to that think of how many times that something has been changed ever so minutely throughout history and been a huge benefit to humankind.

I know this hits a nerve for you because it is close to you heart and lively hood but remember you're on a home brewing forum that basically is all about sharing. Sharing ideas, recipes, DIY's, information and other brewing related things.

Then again that's just my opinion and you know opinions are like Aholes everyone has one. lol

 

[cimirie]

Remember you only need to change something a small percentage, I think it's 10%?, for the copyright to no longer apply and therefore not be stealing.

From the US copyright office website.

"Only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare, or to authorize someone else to create, a new version of that work. Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another's work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner's consent."

To take it a step further, even using images based on another's work is often seen as infringement. CorelDraw had a contest some year's back to be on the box cover of their next year's product. The winner drew entirely with the program (ie without scanning or tracing) an image of an Indian chief. The drawing was based on a photograph owned by Tony Stone. Even though the computer artist made some notable changes and rendered the entire thing using Corel, the photographer hit paydirt in the lawsuit.

 

[gregger]

Then again that's just my opinion and you know opinions are like Aholes everyone has one. lol

Hahahaha nice, I'm taking that one. It strikes a nerve, but I don't get very angry, just frustrated at the attacks and responses from people not in the mood to hear it.

I'm not sure on what the percentage is either, but the artwork does need changing so it isn't used exactly or a direct representation of the original I believe. Some were assuming that I'm angry and then they respond in anger or hurtfulness. I love looking at labels and logos, and I'm happy to contribute my 2 cents when they want to ask the HBT community. I've learned more here in 3 months or so than 2 years on my own.

 

[vballdrummer]

Whew, it's good I have a home brew in my hand 'cause I'm LMAO ... note to self ... chill

 

[ShakerD]

From the US copyright office website.

"Only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare, or to authorize someone else to create, a new version of that work. Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another's work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner's consent."

To take it a step further, even using images based on another's work is often seen as infringement. CorelDraw had a contest some year's back to be on the box cover of their next year's product. The winner drew entirely with the program (ie without scanning or tracing) an image of an Indian chief. The drawing was based on a photograph owned by Tony Stone. Even though the computer artist made some notable changes and rendered the entire thing using Corel, the photographer hit paydirt in the lawsuit.

Lol you are taking that quote out of context. That quote assumes you are creating a new version on the same thing. Like if you make a Blue Moon clone and put a Blue Moon label that you scanned and printed on you computer than yes that applies.

Remember we are talking about making Beer Labels out of pictures and backgrounds not duplicating manufacturers labels

I'm not going to include quotes for the sake of everyone's sanity but I will include a link.

Copyright Registration for Derivative Works

Making a beer label in my opinion would be considered a derivative work.

That being said Copyright laws are not cut and dry like a speed limit they are subject to interpretation.

I am opting out of this conversation because I see this as kind of hijacking the thread and while not unlawful it is unethical.

lol cheers

 

[cimirie]

Lol you are taking that quote out of context. That quote assumes you are creating a new version on the same thing.

Remember we are talking about making Beer Labels out of pictures and backgrounds not duplicating manufacturers labels


Copyright Registration for Derivative Works

Making a beer label in my opinion would be considered a derivative work.

That being said Copyright laws are not cut and dry like a speed limit they are subject to interpretation.

I 100% agree it would be a derivative work. The paragraph I quoted can be found in a section of the link you provided titled "Preparing Derivative Work." Just because a work is derivative doesn't mean it's not infringement. You still have to get the owner's permission.

The Corel example pretty much sums it up.

 

[johnnybrew]

People don't realize they are stealing. The internet and search engines like Google make it easy to find exactly what people are looking for so they think, "hey, no one will ever know". And, none of the points the OP made ever cross 99% of people's minds. I think it's akin to ordering a cheeseburger, or any other food for that matter, and being blissfully unaware of what it took to bring them that cheeseburger.

I've done my fair share of desktop publishing and have toiled with vector images for hours on end. Cheers to the OP for bringing this topic up. And, watch out... Big Brother is watching you... he at least knows your IP address!

 

[gr8shandini]

I could be mistaken, but in copyright law, don't you have to vigorously defend your IP lest it become "abandoned" and part of public domain? The examples I was given were Xerox and Kleenex. Those trademarked names became household names and thus, Xerox couldn't sue someone for writing a memo that says "please provide a xerox of the invoice to the purchasing manager." Of course, I could be all wet on that.

However, that doesn't change the fact that freely posting hi-rez, un-watermarked copies of your work on the web is tantamount to throwing a bunch of 100 dollar bills into the wind and calling the cops to say "look at all these people taking my money." Or posting your bank account info and SSN on the web and then claiming identity theft.

 

[jiggs_casey]

k, not going to read through the entire thread but, I do have an opinion about the original post...

If I find a pic online that I think would look good in a label on a bottle of beer that I'm not selling, I'm going to use it.

If I find a pic online that I think would look good in a label on a bottle of beer that I'm going to charge money for, or even enter in a contest, either I wouldn't use it or I would find out what I would have to do to use it legally.

Personally, I wouldn't feel right using somebody elses work for my own gain, in the slightest. Period...

 

[ReefkprZ]

Get off your high horse and quit dictating how others should act.

so I guess rock stars should quit bitching about people stealing their music and downloading it illegally too huh that's just another high horse they are riding.

grow up. the guy is offering free image sources, and advice how to get images legally.

(and just so you know dictating means saying "act this way or else" I don't see that anywhere, he's not threatening negative action if you don't do what he says. he's offering advice) you don't even know the meaning of the words your using let alone the context to use them in apparently.

 

[SilentAutumn]

What the heck is going on this thread? At any rate, thanks to the OP for posting some free resources.

I'd also like to mention the Wiki Commons image site as a great, great resource for some amazing images. Sometimes the posters want some kind of credit, but usually don't.

The National Archives have some great photos too. But it's hard to navigate and they're still in the process of digitizing a lot of media. You have to go to "Digital Copies" tab, then under the Advanced Search, only check "Photographs and other Graphic Materials". Otherwise you'll get some confusing results.

But I've had a few pictures I've taken that I've asked for help with editing at online forums and people accused me of using copyrighted materials. I guess I just take good photos.

Photobucket has recently released some nice editing options for images with their free accounts.

And even Photoshop will let you make a some decent edits with their free accounts.

 

[gregger]

What the heck is going on this thread? At any rate, thanks to the OP for posting some free resources.

I immediately asked myself this same question within seconds of getting the first reply.

Thanks for contributing as well, I can post them in the original so future users won't have to search deep into this thread.

But I've had a few pictures I've taken that I've asked for help with editing at online forums and people accused me of using copyrighted materials. I guess I just take good photos.

I don't mind helping you edit them. Feel free to post here or PM.

 

[SilentAutumn]

A few other sites worth mentioning if looking for creative common licensed images:
Defense Department and their military collections
Hubble Telescope images

Thanks for offering to help. If I need a new label, I may take you up on that.

I've been able to use free sites and their editing tools to create Jones Soda style labels for my beer. I tinker with the effects, but I like a nice crisp photo. I only make labels for bottles that I give away. My labels all have the same look to them, yet they all have a little different feel.

The very first one a few years ago using CorelDraw:

And the last label I made using Photobucket:

 

[HawksGirl]

Well FWIW, I am a graphic designer and I did in fact win a small claims lawsuit for copyright infringement on a local company in AZ. (No names will be mentioned). What I was able to decipher throughout my entire situation is that the law will only back you if the infringement was "created to turn a profit". I had a magazine spread submitted as a proof. They used the file.... it was even low res LOL, and I was able to win my claim based on the fact that they had never paid for the proof and made a profit using my spread. It gets REALLY complicated and honestly a bit above my head not being in the law field, but to that note I consider copyright infringement using any materials that could be used to turn a profit. IMO beer labels for our homebrews would not count. It IS ALWAYS nice however to get permission to use an artists work. Again my .02.

On that note:
vectorstock.com and 123rf.com are the primaries I use when doing any vector work. Have fun.

 

[gregger]

On that note:
vectorstock.com and 123rf.com are the primaries I use when doing any vector work. Have fun.

I've used vectorstock many times, in fact when I read your post I could've sworn I included it in my original post. 123rf.com looks good cuz it appears to be cheaper than what I've been using commercially, but it doesn't appear to be vector images, just photographs.

Thanks, I'll add them both to my original post so future users who search won't have to look deep into this thread.

 

[k2zr2]

From the US copyright office website.

"Only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare, or to authorize someone else to create, a new version of that work. Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another's work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner's consent."

To take it a step further, even using images based on another's work is often seen as infringement. CorelDraw had a contest some year's back to be on the box cover of their next year's product. The winner drew entirely with the program (ie without scanning or tracing) an image of an Indian chief. The drawing was based on a photograph owned by Tony Stone. Even though the computer artist made some notable changes and rendered the entire thing using Corel, the photographer hit paydirt in the lawsuit.

I don't want this post to go unnoticed here. cimirie, you hit the nail on the head.

By creating labels for our home brew beer, we are not claiming copyright to said labels. Yes, many of us google image search our ideas. We use these images as inspiration to our personal designs. Even if you design looks similar to another design, and you didn't know it, you could be sued. Fair use protects us a little bit, but in my opinion not enough.

I legally cannot sell my beer so I am 100% not turning a profit from the labels.

Funny law suit story, my dad's company was sued by a big box home improvement store in the MidWest. Their name was the same as our last name. I had to relinquish our domain name because it incorporated our last name and "wood products."

How ridiculous is that? Thanks for the free resources though. Everyone else that's arguing, step away from the keyboard, relax, and have a home brew already

 

[Swifty]

I hear you bro..

Corporations were allowed to be created to afford groups of people a bit of legal protection if they were bringing a service to society. Now, these legal entities get preference to people with blood running through their veins. living breathing, fun lovin, beer drinking folks like on this board.

That's dangerously close to political so I'll go have one of those home brews you speak of n chill (not chillax! I could punch a kitten in the face everytime I hear that word!).

 

[Bobby_M]

Apparently there's quite a delay across the internets. The speed of light must be slowing down ;-)

However, once again I thank someone for bringing an interesting thread, and more importantly the links in the OP to the forefront.

 

[landshark]

Thanks for the links. I had forgot about Deviant Art. Used it back in college. Been lazy lately and just using Google Images.


"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." Albert Einstein