Legality of showing browser windows

[dornoforpyros]

Hey Folks,

So we're producting a print brochure for work and one of the pages is a feature on our website. Originally I had done a fun screen shot with a skier jumping off the webpage and such. It was quite beautiful really, but as per our normal operations all the life has been sucked out of the page(not that I'm bitter).

But anyways as per the title of this thread now our GM is asking that the entire browser window be present on the page. Aside from the fact that I personally find this ugly I'm wondering what the legal implications of reproducing the IE interface is? I mean I assume everything is copy righted and this would be a no-no but I'm just wondering if anyone has heard of a case where M$ has ever acted on it?

Yes, I realize this is a bad idea but unfortunatly there's no reasoning with our GM at times.

 

[dubbz]

Well, Wikipedia has this text under a screenshot of IE:

This is a screenshot of copyrighted Windows computer software. It is believed that screenshots may be exhibited on Wikipedia under the fair use provision of United States copyright law.

 

[wordmunger]

I seriously doubt that's legal. You would have to get permission from Microsoft do to it. Good luck with that!

Wikipedia can claim that it's educational use; you'd have a hard time doing that with a promotional brochure.

 

[dornoforpyros]

Well, Wikipedia has this text under a screenshot of IE:

hmm I think fair use only applys for editorials and such. Like if I were writing a book about the internet and saying something along the lines of "internet explorer is a popular browser etc"
Where as the use I'm talking about doesn't involve talking about the browser or M$ at all.

 

[dubbz]

hmm I think fair use only applys for editorials and such. Like if I were writing a book about the internet and saying something along the lines of "internet explorer is a popular browser etc"
Where as the use I'm talking about doesn't involve talking about the browser or M$ at all.

Yes, didn't think about that.

Does it have to be IE? AFAIK, GPL'ed software doesn't have such restrictions.

 

[dornoforpyros]

Yes, didn't think about that.

Does it have to be IE? AFAIK, GPL'ed software doesn't have such restrictions.

yea I'd assume it needs to be IE or else I'd get "why doesn't this internet shot look like my internet at home?"

I think we're just gonna go ahead and do it laws be damned. And we if get sued I'll wash my hands of it.

 

[dubbz]

Found their terms... here it is in full glory:

Except for Microsoft product boot-up screens, opening screens, "splash screens," or screens from products that have not been commercially released (including beta versions), you may use screen shots in advertising, in documentation (including educational brochures), in tutorial books, in videotapes, or on Web sites, provided you adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Your use may not be obscene or pornographic, and may not be disparaging, defamatory, or libelous to Microsoft, any of its products, or any other person or entity.

2. Your use may not directly or indirectly imply Microsoft sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of your product or service.

3. You may not use the screen shot in a comparative advertisement

4. You may not alter the screen shot in any way except to resize the screen shot. You may not use portions of the screen shots and no portions of a screen shot may be included in your product user interface.

5. You may not use screen shots from Microsoft beta products or other products that have not been commercially released by Microsoft.

6. You may not use screen shots that contain third-party content.

7. You must include the following copyright attribution statement: "Microsoft product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation."

8. If your use includes references to a Microsoft product, you must use the full name of the product.

9. When referencing any Microsoft trademarks, please follow the General Microsoft Trademark Guidelines.

Seems like it's be OK, as long as you put in the text in #7... well unless you work in the Porn industry or something

 

[dornoforpyros]

Found their terms... here it is in full glory:



Seems like it's be OK, as long as you put in the text in #7... well unless you work in the Porn industry or something

haha no my job's not that fun, although it does have it's perks, namley a free ski pass.

Thanks alot for your help!

 

[notjustjay]

It looks like you're OK to use the IE screenshot, then. I've seen it done in ads locally, mostly for computer stores or services - frankly, I think it looks tacky, but that's not my call

I was going to say that failing permission to use the actual screenshot, you could just make a mockup of no particular browser in general. A toolbar with buttons labelled "Back" and "Reload" and a white title area with a website URL, would get the message across.

 

[caveman_uk]

I've seen a lot of webpage screenshots that use the Mac version of IE. Kind of double edged sword that one. It's the mac version - Good. It's IE - Bad...very bad.

 

[dornoforpyros]

frankly, I think it looks tacky, but that's not my call

Agreed, but it's also not my call either