Using the logo on stuff?

[godix]

Right, but there's some sort of unstated clause that lets members of this site take that logo, alter it, and submit it on their banners, which they're also free to use on their personal websites.

It's not unstated. Quoting from <a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/banners/">here</a>:

Banner ads must contain the official logo somewhere on the ad or at some time during the ad. You can use the example image or the original Adobe Illustrator source (links below).

As far as using the banners go, it's kinda vauge. The only thing that page really says about use is:

Worthy banner ads may be used by anyone to link to this site.

The phrasing implies permission is given to use banners (and therefore the logo since it MUST be on the banner) for linking to the site and nothing else. If unsure, we can go to the generic 'If you have any questions, please contact the site admin' part although we already have the site admins answer.

What I was asking was how far the 'free use' goes for members.

Technically and legally speaking, as far as Phade specifically gives permission for and not an inch more. Realistically you could get away with it, it just isn't worth the cost and time to fight assuming Phade ever learned about it to begin with. I suspect the org members reaction would be even more extreme than it is to video theft though.

Well, that's enough of the contest rules. My personal take on it is that there would be valid concerns on if the money would actually reach the org. While I'm sure SarahtheBoring is upfront and honest about her request that doesn't mean everyone would be. If you let anyone use the logo for profit then someone somewhere will realize that hey, Phade doesn't know how many buttons they sold, why not only donate half the profit and keep half?

I think some sort of arrangement where Phade designates a trusted source to act as the orgs collection guy at major cons would work. After all, the admins and mods attend many cons and they're already trusted by the org so why not ask if they'd accept the responsability of collecting money? Permission would have to be sought for selling org products then the trusted source could gather the profits during the con (and take donations as well). If no trusted source is attending the con, or willing to accept responsability for the cash, then permission would be denied for using the logo at that con. This would allow major cons to have someone accepting donations or selling org products without leaving use of the logo totally open to anyone who wants to make a quick buck or two.

[SarahtheBoring]

I asked just because I was foolishly excited that I might be able to help out in some small way. I was told no, and I'll accept that in good graces. If any other discussion goes on about this, it's not on my behalf or about me, so please leave me out of it.

Thanks.

[nokvok]

Is the logo copywrited?

If it was made by a United States citizen or any country obeying the Berne Convention, yes. Copyright is implicit in those countries, i.e. does not require registration.

This is only halfe true as it is of importance what the copyrighted work is.
In Germany, some retarded (and probably very technophobe) Judge Judged that "Pictures Created with Digital Image Editors" are not inherently Copyrighted, "cause the program is doing the artistic work, not the Person using the program". (yeah, i said he is retarded).

Anyways, All i can suggest is that someone who is in charge to decide upon the usage of that Logo and the AMV.orgs association with Fan art takes the time to actually contact people who wish to design Buttons and stuff "AMV Approved!". I can imagine uncountable ways to get that working...