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[boynightwing]

edit: nevermind my statement, I just went back and looked over things. He knew what he was doing.

[Brad]

I am pretty sure you can have it "recorded" but this link should give you much better information then I can.

U.S. Copyright Office


I have a couple good friends who are Attorneys so I learn a lot from them and I even handled my own divorce from my first wife. I did all the paperwork and filed it. Total cost was around $415 which was the filing fee. I ended up with full custody of my son and my ex has to pay us child support. Of course we haven't seen a dime from her since Nov. 2007 but for us it wasn't the money but rather the principle.

[Wise4671]

Anything you write that is original to you (not just copying the work of someone else) automatically gives you the copyright. I don't remember when the law changed but if you look up the laws on copyrights you will see that you no longer have to "apply" for them. It's automatic.

Trademark is more for an item or brand. And has to be registered. I am not very good at explaining this but a quick Google search will give you the information presented much better then I can.

I didnt know about the change for lyrics Thank You for the information. Everytime I write a new song I always mail myself a copy and keep it sealed so I have proff of the date it was written (post mark on the stamp) then I would send in to get the completed song and lyrics copyright proteceted. So this info will save me a step and a little $$.

See told ya I wasnt tryi ng to stir the pot and was just trying to be educated

Again Thank You for clearing up a few things in my foggy mind

[Brad]

I forgot to add that as long as you can prove that you wrote your song lyrics first then if anyone wrote the exact same thing they would violate your copyrights. Now you get into the gray area of if they change a few words is it then the same lyrics? This gets confusing is doesn't pertain to the Museum cards. The cards have the Museum name on the masthead so that is all that's needed to prove that the Museum holds the copyrights on them.

[Brad]

I didnt know there was a differance between Trademark and Copyright all this stuff is really confusing to me. I have copy protected some lyrics to songs me and my band wrote awhile ago and I thought that was very trying.

Anything you write that is original to you (not just copying the work of someone else) automatically gives you the copyright. I don't remember when the law changed but if you look up the laws on copyrights you will see that you no longer have to "apply" for them. It's automatic.

Trademark is more for an item or brand. And has to be registered. I am not very good at explaining this but a quick Google search will give you the information presented much better then I can.

[Brad]

Also wanted to add that these are parodies of Mego action figures. Mego would be the only one that could have an issue with the cards. Marvel and DC could care less since there is no money to be had and it is not making their product look bad by any means.

What is being protected is the name Mego Museum more then anything. If someone wants to copy the cards but remove the mast head and any other mention of the Museum they would be free to do so.

In other words if you want to sell them then do it on your own dime!

[Wise4671]

Working on an emergence repair right now but no. The Trademark and copyrights are different. You get into public domain images, parody's, etc when dealing with figure likenesses. Plus they are not sold, they are given away.

I didnt know there was a differance between Trademark and Copyright all this stuff is really confusing to me. I have copy protected some lyrics to songs me and my band wrote awhile ago and I thought that was very trying.

[Brad]

Working on an emergence repair right now but no. The Trademark and copyrights are different. You get into public domain images, parody's, etc when dealing with figure likenesses. Plus they are not sold, they are given away.

[Wise4671]

I just informed that seller of their violation as well as informing eBay. I will do what I can to get this stopped on eBay. If anyone sees anymore sellers like this violating eBay policy and the Mego Museum copyrights by selling the Museum cards just shoot me a pm with the info.

Here is a brief reason why selling them is a violation;

Copyright is a set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work.

Since the cards state NOT FOR SALE on them it's pretty simple to see the violation.

Thanks.

Just curious and am asking because I would like to educated not stirring the pot.

My question: You say the cards are protected by the "Not For Sale" on the card and that the cards are copyrighted. But doesnt DC and Marvel own the rights to the Heroes and there images depicted on some of the cards and Universal owns the images and likeness for the Monsters, etc....... therefore how can the cards be copyrighted?

Again not trying to stir the pot I am just curios ( I know I know curiosity killed the cat but heck I'm more of a dog kind of guy anyway )

[Mr Mego]

Sure, I can do that for you and our MM admins. You're very welcome my great dude.

[Brad]

I just informed that seller of their violation as well as informing eBay. I will do what I can to get this stopped on eBay. If anyone sees anymore sellers like this violating eBay policy and the Mego Museum copyrights by selling the Museum cards just shoot me a pm with the info.

Here is a brief reason why selling them is a violation;

Copyright is a set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work.

Since the cards state NOT FOR SALE on them it's pretty simple to see the violation.

Thanks.

[Mr Mego]

You do realize that selling the Museum promo cards is a huge no-no! Not a very good way to start out here.



Mego Museum Cards of Heroes, Knights & Monsters - eBay (item 370488222362 end time Mar-05-11 13:53:02 PST)

Mego Museum Cards of Heroes, Knights & Monsters - eBay (item 370472318601 end time Jan-11-11 1646 PST)

Mego Museum Cards of Heroes, Knights & Monsters - eBay (item 370480483542 end time Feb-07-11 1422 PST)

Great detective work Brad!

I posted a Thread in Auction watch board last 2 years 4 months ago

This seller selling our MM trading cards to the buyers!!! - Mego Talk

[Mr.Krusher]

^ Wow...he has a ton of feedback as well...way to sleaze it up 'lostinspaceguy'....

[Mego Magyar]

Go to ebay and search "Mego card" - there are 5 auctions currently.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MEGO-MUSEUM-prom...item256065ff17
the following are all from the same seller - thatlostingspaceguy
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SUPERGIRL-V...item5ad7a0089d
http://cgi.ebay.com/STAR-TREK-MEGO-M...item5639115fb3
http://cgi.ebay.com/MARVEL-IRON-MAN-...item563a3176a4
http://cgi.ebay.com/STAR-TREK-MEGO-M...item5ad3a38746

[Brad]

Man, I almost missed this. Nice info on that program Brad. Didn't know this existed. Will this really work?

Yes, I see no reason why it shouldn't. To try and keep this brief here is how I see it;

Anything that you write/create you automatically hold the copyrights to. Even a grocery list. So the copyrights of the cards, since they say Mego Museum right on the card, are owned by the Museum (Brian and Scott) and can not be reproduced without consent.

Since the cards are used for promotional reasons only and are NOT for sale as stated on the cards, any selling of them by anyone other then the holder(s) of the copyright is prohibited.

You can give away, receive, and trade the cards all you want but once you try and sell them for profit the rules apply. Without consent from the author this would be a violation of US copyright law and also eBay policy.

I could be wrong (and it sure wouldn't be a first-LOL) but I believe that yes, the Museum can register the cards with the VERO program. I am more then willing to help with this if needed. This would make it so much easier to have these card auctions removed quickly.

The main reason I am so adamant about this is because I remember how bad Brian felt when someone recently sold a complete set of cards on eBay. He nearly lost all interest in continuing with the cards as many here will remember and that is just not right. Brian, Scott, the various sponsors, etc. put a lot of their own time and money into the cards so if I can do anything, even if it isn't much, to help stop the sales of these cards I am happy to be of assistance.

Bottom line is in my opinion it is just a matter of respect that these folks have surely earned.


Hopefully I am not "overstepping my boundaries" here. If I am then please let me know as that is not my intention at all. I'm just trying to give back to the Museum in whatever way I can.

Thanks.