Monster high- A big question

[animeangel09189]

So ever since MH came out whats the first thing everyone sees but owner photos from people who buy the dolls even the kids who these dolls are aimed at do this. Currently I am monster high and BJDless (not for long though) and because of SOPA and something a member on here said I got to thinking one big thing

Are we legally allowed to take and post pictures of these dolls in the internet?

With BJD's I think it's almost excepted so of course as long as we are not claiming we made them the companies don't mind as far as I know but the US is different most of the dolls sold in stores are sold to children who's main goal is to play with them and not show them off on the internet like the older collectors

yeah I asked for a monster high doll for my birhtday and I'm getting one and I'm excited but if I can't take pictures of her...then what?

[Lamia of the Dark]

Whatever, that SOPA thing is never going to actually be allowed to become a law.

So, yeah, posting pictures of stuff you own is fine.

[DollyKim]

Can't wait to see which Monster it is, there's so many.

Don't let worries like that stop you, I see every owner picture of a doll posted on line by the owner, or seller even, is like a commercial for them. Monkey see monkey buy.

[PaleAmethyst]

I do believe the issue is art claims and copyright. It's one thing to take a MH or BJD or any kind of doll, mod it or something, and turn around and try to claim it as your own handiwork (sell it and your now a pirate breaking all sorts of laws!). We don't do that, however. We do claim ownership of a doll, we even mod them sometimes, but we don't claim to be the creator of the doll.

Since all this stuff is for personal enjoyment, and not personal gain, just us hanging out on a forum chatting about the dolls we enjoy doesn't break any laws.

[Geektopian]

Honestly, no one can answer that since both SOPA and the Senate version, PROTECT IP, are currently just bills being considered by their respective Houses. The bills have to pass out of committee and face a vote in each house then be merged into a final version that would be signed in to law by the President. Additionally, the US DoJ has requested an expansion of an existing law from the mid 1980s to give them greater enforcement authority with regards to SOPA. Keep in mind that such laws THEN face potential legal challenges in the Federal courts system and possible repeal depending on the 2012 election cycle.

It's beyond the scope of discussion and the rules here to get in to the specific politics and individuals behinds this, except to say that both bills face widespread opposition from both sides of the political spectrum as well as a number of big players in the IT/TelCom business. That doesn't prevent SOPA/PROTECT IP from becoming law but it does put a number of significant hurdles in the way. Meanwhile, you have about the same somewhat nebulous rights to post photos of your own dolls or other property as you always have.

[DollyKim]

Mmmkay, I looked up what companies I contacted about permission to publish doll pictures in print have said-

Please say the figure was modified (Sideshow Dead Collector I did major work on)
Do not show them using drugs or breaking the law (M&C Toys maker of Power Team Elite Soldiers)

No one has said no, Volks said they would consider permission for printing, no one has said take any pictures down. Al the pictures on my website were taken by me, digitally imprinted with my camera info etc, no questions where they came from.

Be worried if you're using someone else's pictures.