Using coin images / copyright etc

Hi everyone!

I've been playing with digital image editing lately, and started creating some manipulated images from coins. Here is an example:



This is based on the obverse of the 1950 - 57 Tunisia 100 Francs coin (I removed most of the other writing and coin edge etc).

If I wanted to do something commercial with that - say sell it printed on a t-shirt, where do I stand? I actually couldn't find anything on the Monnaie de Paris site, but that was just one example, I was thinking more generally. If I had an image based on an Ancient Roman coin, they're probably not going to come after me for copyright infringement, but I just wanted to work out where the "safe" area or time period here was for this sort of thing?

I guess for current coins (and possibly anything produced by current mints?) it will depend on their own terms, I was just hoping to find something a bit broader without having to ask the mint of each country. EG "If I use designs from South American countries or anything pre-1900, it's fine".

It's something I've been having a bit of fun doing recently, and I'd like to be able to share it, but I don't want to annoy any mints or anything either. Happy for any advice - thanks!

 

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I don't have a clue regarding the copyright stuff. But, I do like that image.

 

You know what I was thinking? Maybe an idea for a wicked cool Tattoo.

 

Well IANAL, but...

It's called a derivative work. The mint retains the copyright on their images. You have done work that derives from their work. Whether you have done enough work to earn (as it were) your own copyright is a matter for the courts to decide.

Yep, there's no clear, bright-line, definition - you might recall lawsuits in the last few years over whether a few-second sample is infringing...

 

Here's some language from the U.S. Mint that might be relevant. I didn't bother reading any of it, just thought it might be useful.

https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library

 

It's not @CoinCorgi just says to use in accordance with the law.


Only applies to US

Special circumstances for 50SQ &c as the designs are both copyright by the mint and the orignal submitter.

 

I don't know what copyright laws they've got in Tunisia but here in the United States copyright is statutory (see Copyright Act) and you've the copyright in that image or original work of authorship fixed by you in any tangible medium of expression, as the Act describes it, and nobody else.

 

Read up on it and or yes an attorney. There will always be someone watching so best to be safe.
Business Guidelines
Federal Regulation
The United States Mint issued a final regulation, effective November 26, 2007, to help protect consumers and the coin-collecting hobby from the misuse of the Agency’s names, emblems and symbols, as well as those of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The regulation authorizes the United States Mint to assess civil fines against companies or individuals who misuse the Department of the Treasury’s and the United States Mint’s names and emblems in advertising, solicitations, business activities or products to convey a false impression of sponsorship, endorsement or association with the United States Mint or the Treasury Department. The authority for implementing this final rule is Title 31 of the United States Code, Section 333.

The United States Mint has the authority to impose a civil fine of up to $5,000 against an individual or company for each misleading use of the United States Mint’s or the Treasury Department’s names, symbols, or emblems. Misuses in broadcasts and telecasts could incur penalties of up to $25,000 for each misuse. The protections of due process in the new regulation include fair notice, an opportunity to respond and present evidence, and the right of appeal to an appropriate Federal District Court.

You can view the regulation published at 31 C.F.R. Part 92, Subpart C.

 

All y'all missed that OP started from a Tunisian coin.

 

You know, we are here trying to help. It’s not a matter of who is right or wrong. If I’m wrong that’s fine but all we try to do is help. No matter what coin it is. There are laws for everything in today’s world. Even Burger King gets sued because their advertising is incorrect. Hell that is everything.

 

You said you’re manipulating the images. With extensive manipulation, the image may be beyond recognition as to original source. Be aware though that digital images may have “watermarks”. These can be of two varieties. First has to do with unique arrangements of pixels. These may come through even with screen capture or screen photography. Second type is ID info in the picture file. This info won’t come through with screen capture or photography. But will be there if you download and repost the picture file or incorporate it into a document. May be there even after you digitally manipulate the picture in your computer.

There are search engines and companies that do online searching for watermarked images. There is also software that can add or supposedly remove watermarks. I wouldn’t trust any removal software to eliminate all possible watermarks.

A picture can be copyrighted even if it is of an inanimate object. A picture of an ancient coin can be copyrighted. Doesn’t matter who owns the coin or how old it is.

Copyrights is an area where it’s better to ask permission rather than forgiveness.

Cal

 

Simply use your time and talent and produce your own original work, and avoid all the silliness and whataboutism and whatifism. Either you trust your own ability or you don't.

 

The laws and customs of your village are not the laws and customs of the entire world. Copyright law is one of the more obtuse and obscure areas out there and you infringe on it daily. It's all fun and games until somebody drops a lawsuit on your head and you end up paying thousands of dollars in legal fees. So it's best to TRY and stay on the right side of the law.


OP used a Tunisian coin. The laws of the country of Tunisia apply.

OP seems to have had a passing thought that because the coin was (apparently) minted by the Paris Mint, the laws of France applied. They don't.

While it's unlikely that the country of Tunisia will sue OP in a US court (assuming he's US-based) (or UK or Australia or wherever) and thus the risks are pretty low, when you go to reproduce something at a print shop, they ask if you have the rights to reproduce it because they don't want to risk contributory infringement.

 

Alrighty!

 

I doubt that they assert copyright in their coins. Here in the U.S., we don’t. That’s why we don’t need copyright permission to photo them here, use them in our avatars, articles, etc. And Pam, that’s agency servicemarks and trademarks, logos and such, that article is talking about, not coins, just to clarify some.

 

Jurisdiction is a complex issue. AFAIK, coins are seldom copyrighted (but there is the possibility they could be), but pictures of them can be. If you used an image of a Tunisian coin for commercial purposes in the U.S., and the image was taken by CNG or Heritage for one of their auctions, I don't think the Tunisians would get far with a suit against a U.S. citizen in a U.S. court, but CNG or Heritage would.

Cal

 

@eddiespin not strictly true. If you follow the page @CoinCorgi pointed us at, you will find there are special rules for the 50SQ, ATB, NWQ, and other recent coins as elements of the design were provided by outsiders and thus ARE copyrighted.

 

Actually, Cal, I think Quentin will have more trouble getting his designs printed on a T-shirt if he can't say that the work isn't subject to copyright.

 

Gotcha…. I think I’m going to stay in my lane! Lol. I guess we all know the dos and don’ts. That’s what makes the world go around. Thanks Eddie!