Copyright & 4-H Projects: A Guide
This interactive guide is for exhibitors who plan to show at 4-H exhibitions in Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties! In recent years, we have had issues with members unwittingly infringing on copyrights. With the show being virtual, it can be easier to fall into the trap of Copyright infringement. We hope this guide will help educate YOU as you prepare your projects!
Copyright, Trademarks, & 4-H
The concept of copyright can seem overly confusing - especially for a simple project that is going to be seen by a small crowd of people. But copyright, trademarks, and the like are all important things to understand - in 4-H, in college, and in the workplace.
What is copyright
The definition of copyright, trademarks, and intellectual property is, put simply, something that belongs to someone else. It could be trademarks filled with the government, or photos and ideas on Pinterest. Here is a short video from YouTube (from GCFLearnFree.org) which we think does a good job of explaing the basics - but read on, as this video is VERY basic and doesn't cover all of the situations you might find when showing a project in 4-H.
Please also check out this helpful resource from the University of Illinois Library: Copyright Reference Guide
Common infringements in 4-H Shows
So what are some examples of common things that are infringements? Here are some examples of things we see both on the county and state level:
- Using Copyrighted Music in films or slideshows - Unless you have written permission, you may not use copyrighted music in projects - even if you purchased a copy of the song. Unless expressly stated, when you purchase a song (via digital download, cd, etc.), you are purchasing the song to play for your own personal entertainment.
- Using Copyrighted Photos you found online - Unless you have written permission, you may not use images you found online. This includes you found via a Google search. Unless otherwise stated, images you find online are COPYRIGHT and you are unable to use it. There are MANY images that let you use them for school or other projects if you cite your source. Otherwise, look for images that say they are in the "Public Domain" or "Copyright free" - you can also look for images that have a Creative Commons License that allows attribution. For more info, check out this helpful resource: https://guides.library.illinois.edu/copyrightreferenceguide/cclicensing
- Copying an idea from online (Pinterest, etc.) - Just as in college where simply putting a paragraph into your own words can still be plagiarism, simply copying an idea off of Pinterest and changing one or two things can still be infringement. Simply put, while you can use these websites for gaining inspiration, the idea for your project should come from YOU - check out the example situations below for more context!
- Using sport teams, school, or company logos - Again, unless you have express written permission (and this permission is brought to the show), these types of things are all copyrighted and can not be used - even if they are popular teams or your local high school logos.
- Utilizing characters from Disney, Superhero's, etc. - Characters are the intellectual property of their creators. Many of these companies (including Disney) have been known to pursue those who violate their copyright.
- Using the term "Olympics" or the "Olympic Rings" logo - both are the exclusive trademarks of the United States Olympic Committee. I know this may seem weird but it is true. The United States Olympic Committee has exclusive use of the term "Olympics" and the rings logo in the United States. You may also not use any derivative of "Olympics," such as "Farm-lympics" - read more about the U.S. Olympic Brand online
What are the consequences?
Besides being an all around bad thing to do (using intellectual property you don't own is, after all, stealing) you can get in serious trouble for using property you don't own
Consequences in 4-H Exhibitions
If any part of your project contains material that constitutes copyright infringement, your project may be disqualified at the discretion of the judge and/or Extension Staff. If we believe that disqualification is warranted, then the project will not receive any ribbons or premiums. If we choose not to disqualify an infringing project, then placings WILL be negatively impacted and the project as a whole will not be eligible for state fair.
Consequences in College & Academia
If you are planning to go to college, using intellectual property you have no right to as part of an assignment or essay could constitute infringement or plagiarism (depending on the property and situation). Plagiarism and infringement in college is a serious offence and has serious consequences including failing a class, academic expulsion, and/or legal action.
Because intellectual property is owned by their respective owners, there is no standard for how a company chooses to react. If you are caught by the company or individual, some may choose to ignore it, others may choose to send a strongly worded letter, others may opt to sue. While some may be okay with fan creations, others may deem it as an infringement. We ARE NOT allowed to make that decision on behalf of the copyright owners - Which is why if you would like to use something which is copyrighted, you MUST seek and receive WRITTEN permission.
So if you are caught in the "real world" - something may happen, or nothing. But do you really want to take the chance? What is a given is that ignorance IS NOT a defense in copyright claims - either in 4-H, in college, or in your future career and everyday life.
SO WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES?
Below are some example scenarios so you can test your knowledge! Read over the scenario and then click the toggle next to your decision to find the answer!
Scenarios below are fictitious for education purposes - any resemblance to real life situations is coincidental.
Scenario 1: The Club Event
The Busy Frogs 4-H Club is holding an event which challenges individuals to compete in fun games. They are calling it "The Frog-lympics." Is this infringement?
Choose your answer:
Correct!
The U.S. Olympic Committee has exclusive use and copyrighted protection of the term "Olympics" and any derivatives in the United States. This club should rename their fun event to something which does not use the term Olympics. The club also MAY NOT use any variation of the term Olympics - like Frog-lympics.
For a helpful article on the Olympic brand, check out this article on the TEAM USA website
Incorrect! Remember that the term "Olympics" is under copyright
The U.S. Olympic Committee has exclusive use and copyrighted protection of the term "Olympics" and any derivatives in the United States. This club should rename their fun event to something which does not use the term Olympics. The club also MAY NOT use any variation of the term Olympics - like Frog-lympics.
For a helpful article on the Olympic brand, check out this article on the TEAM USA website
Scenario 2: Loving Characters
Ben, an excited 4-H'er who is just starting cake decorating, loves the movie Frozen. He would like to use characters from the movie on his cake to show his love for the film. Is this infringement?
Choose your answer:
Probably!
Disney branding such as the Frozen characters are trademarks of the Walt Disney Company. As such, they cannot be used and would be considered infringement! The ONLY time this may be acceptable is if ALL of the infringing embellishments were purchased from an approved Disney vendor (no knock off companies - it must be licensed by Disney)
Wrong. Probably Infringement.
Disney branding such as the Frozen characters are trademarks of the Walt Disney Company. As such, they cannot be used and would be considered infringement! The ONLY time this may be acceptable is if ALL of the infringing embellishments were purchased from an approved Disney vendor (no knock off companies - it must be licensed by Disney)
Scenario 3: Vintage Sign
Sarah, a longtime 4-H'er, created a woodworking project which includes a vintage shop sign featuring a Coca-Cola logo which she purchased at a thrift store. Is this infringement?
Choose your answer:
Wrong! This is probably not infringement!
Here is where things can get tricky. Because the sign was purchased by the 4-H member as is, then this would be an acceptable project which sees the sign being *repurposed*. HOWEVER - if the sign was created by the member (or the member paints the logo more prominently on the sign) then it would not be acceptable
Correct! This is probably not infringement!
Here is where things can get tricky. Because the sign was purchased by the 4-H member as is, then this would be an acceptable project which sees the sign being repurposed. HOWEVER - if the sign was created by the member (or the member paints the logo more prominently on the sign) then it would not be acceptable
Scenario 4: The Social Idea
James, a 4-H member, loves to work with his hands. James was looking through ideas on Instagram and Pinterest and came across an amazing art project which he wants to do for the fair. Is this infringement?
Choose your answer:
Correct!
Sites like Pinterest and Instagram are great for sharing ideas. Many people use these sites to create "Mood Boards" to gain inspiration from. This is okay as long as they stay that - inspiration. James is creating an unoriginal project by copying someone else's ideas - i.e., infringement or plagiarism in the eyes of 4-H contests (and many colleges). James is free to take inspiration from the images he sees - but his finished project MUST be uniquely his own. NOTE: changing a few things about a project usually DOES NOT make it original. Just like how simply putting someone else's quote or idea into a paper in your own words in college can STILL be plagiarism.
Incorrect! James is creating an unoriginal project and is, in the eyes of 4-H contests, unoriginal and infringement.
Sites like Pinterest and Instagram are great for sharing ideas. Many people use these sites to create "Mood Boards" to gain inspiration from. This is okay as long as they stay that - inspiration. James is creating an unoriginal project by copying someone else's ideas - i.e., infringement or plagiarism in the eyes of 4-H contests (and many colleges). James is free to take inspiration from the images he sees - but his finished project MUST be uniquely his own. NOTE: changing a few things about a project usually DOES NOT make it original. Just like how simply putting someone else's quote or idea into a paper in your own words in college can STILL be plagiarism.
Scenario 5: School Teams
Mark, a 4-H member and budding artist, screen-prints t-shirts for his college. While he could enter his project under Ready4Life, he would like to enter one of his original designs in visual arts. He has asked the principle of his school who gave him permission to use the sports team logo he always uses. Is this infringement?
Choose your answer:
Wrong. Probably not infringement.
Mark has permission to use the logos in his final designs. As long as the principle is able to sign off on this type of permission, and permission was secured in writing, then Mark can show his final designs! He MUST bring a copy of the written permission with him to the fair and this permission must remain with the project.
Correct! Probably not infringement.
Mark has permission to use the logos in his final designs. As long as the principle is able to sign off on this type of permission and permission was secured in writing, then Mark can show his final designs! He MUST bring a copy of the written permission with him to the fair and this must remain with the project.
Thanks for respecting the property of others!
Do you have questions about trademarks, copyright laws, and how everything connects? Do you have a concern that maybe your project could be infringing? Contact us! We are here to help!
- Brooke Baker-Katcher - [email protected]
- Debra Koch - [email protected]
- Anthony Warmack - [email protected]