Library clip art

[Chris Olson]

Steve.....

Surprise.  Clip art is not generally free.

You're right about the "clip it out and use it" part, but in the olden
days, when designers needed ready-made illustrations, they subscribed to
printed clip art services which cost hundreds of dollars, including the
right to use the art.  Nondesigners have experience using clip art books
available at most bookstores, where the price of the book gave them license
to use the art as they needed. It was the decision of the publisher to
recoup the cost of the artwork and profits by selling thousands of books.
And it was exactly this proliferation of clip art that gave it a black mark
in the illustration world-- you could spot a clip art image a mile away--
they were so overused.

In today's electronic world, illustrators sell the rights to their images
to vendors who package and promote electronic clip art. I have seen all
types of copyright and usage right statements on electronic clip art. But
unless the illustrator is independently wealthy, they all put a price tag
on their art.

So, unfortunately you can't make the sweeping statement about clip art
being generally free. Illustrators have to eat too.

On the web page noted in the original message it states in the opening
paragraph that the images are freeware, for non-profit use. Depending on
how Bob Rasmussen is going to use the art, he may or may not need to get a
clarification from the web site provider.

Hope this clarifies the topic and keeps you out of trouble.

BTW, if you visit a sophisticated clip art site operated by an illustrator
or vendor, and you "swipe" an image and use it on your web site, you may
get an electronic warning to remove it. Illustrators are beginning to use
electronic copyright/watermark services which visibly and invisibly mark
their images. fyi.

Chris Olson, M.L.S., M.A.S.
Chris Olson & Associates
Library Marketing Consultants
olson at access.digex.net
http://www.chrisolson.com
410/647-6708
410/647-0415 fax



 >        I've always taken the term 'clip art' to mean, clip it and use it,
>way back to when it came in books for you to clip out and xerox. Unless it
>says 'pay here,' clip art is generally free.
>        Anybody know different? Gee, I hope not.
>
>
>At 11:47 AM 4/9/98 -0700, you wrote:
>>Several people have mentioned the clip art collection at
>>   http://www.netins.net/showcase/meyers/library_clipart/clipart.html
>>
>>However, I don't see any information there regarding copyright or usage
>>permission...?
>>
>>Regards,
>>...Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.
>
>>
>>
>
>*+============================*
>|   Stephen S. Hooley         |
>|   Technical Specialist      |
>|    Henderson Library        |
>|    Systems Department       |
>| Georgia Southern University |
>|      Statesboro, GA 30460   |  My Mars Probe and private worlds
>|                             |  http://www2.gasou.edu/facstaff/hooleyss
>+=============================+
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