Jan 05 2007
Zombie Apocalypse Motivational Calendars
I recently experimented with some calendar creation over at Cafepress.com and Lulu.com. Ordered a copy of the calendar from each, and am now prepared to offer my opinions on them both.
The calendars are essentially identical (although the sequence of the Zombie Motivational Posters varies slightly between the two – Whoops!) but in the end I would have to recommend Lulu.com for two specific reasons;
The first is cost, the calendar from Lulu costs slightly less than it’s cafepress counterpart (Cafepress $15.49 vs. Lulu $13.00). The second reason is that Lulu allows you to add “custom dates” whilst creating your calendar, so its version of the calendar includes a few dozen significant dates for zombie movie enthusiasts.
I wanted one for my wall, you are under no obligation to buy one of course.
[It's a nifty concept, if you have a few images and the inclination I'd highly recommend creating your own custom calendar. It beats some sort of generic calendar with insurance/dental/automotive repair advertising scattered throughout. Thinking about it, I may have to troll my pictures directory and see if I have enough gun pron to put a calendar together for 2008!]
How much more for a signed copy?
Actually they knock $2 off for a signed copy…
I should probably be offended.
Did you clear the images for reporduction. I do believe you are in contravention of several copyright laws.
Reporduction? No, the images were not cleared for reproduction either, but are used under the “fair use” or “fair dealing” provisions of the applicable copyright legislation here and in the US.
As I understand the rather nebulous copyright laws the basic litmus test for copyright violation is that someone cannot pass off an individuals work as their own, reducing or harming the commercial value of the original work (ie. reproducing an entire song, article, book or movie or a significant portion of same). Typically this would be considered plagarism, but IS a copyright violation.
Under “fair use” or “fair dealing” a sample or portion of a work can be reproduced for critique or parody provided it is a “small” portion, and is not comprised of the “essential substance” of the work itself.
With respect to movies this appears to be generally accepted for screen caps as a seconds worth of imagery from what is typically an 84 minute feature film is not considered to undermine the commercial value of the original work, and indeed for most commercial ventures provides what amounts to “free advertising” for the original work.
Again, there are no hard and fast rules for this, but in the spirit of the legislation I believe I am well within the “fair use” (US) and “fair dealing” (Canadian) provisions.
Theodore I feel certain that you have some music industry specific knowledge of copyright violation, but I’m not sure that it’s directly applicable here. If I’m wrong then please feel free to disabuse me of this.
I just ordered 2.
They look awesome
I do believe you are in contravention of several copyright laws.
While I ain’t gonna offer an opinion on the culpability of Muggie on this point, if he finally gets sent up the river on “copyright infringement”, I will rank that right up there with Capone getting done for tax evasion….
-GRIN-
It’s gotten sillier than all that. In the music world anyway. A judge ruled, last year, that any audio sample , no matter how short, used without permission, can be subject to to a lawsuit. 1 drum hit from another song can be grounds. Even the major labels want the ruling overturned as it will increase their legal fees fighting and defending all comers.
I also just figured that in a world where labels are suing the people who might actually buy their product, someone might want to cause trouble for you.
cool. I need a 2007 Calendar.
You should post this in the ZS “Trading post”
Ashnack: Ya know, I thought you’d grove on these!
-GRIN-
Theodore: Meh… I don’t really make any money on these projects, I think all the proceeds from Lulu.com so far have netted me a single zombie DVD off ebay.
If someone wants a piece of that pie it’ll be pocket change.
Kyle: I thought of that, but I’m still not comfortable pimping stuff like this on the forums. I may throw a post up later, but we’ll see.
Which reminds me, I do have a spare “sample” calendar I ordered, I figured I’d donate it to ZS for some sort of prize at one of your events.
I’ll drop you an email.