Vector-based graphics, or “clip art,” seems to be ubiquitous on the Internet.  Some users mistakenly believe that most or all clip art they see online is in the “public domain” and can be freely copied and used.  And some web sites perpetuate that belief by repackaging and selling clip art on CDs or other media for cut-rate prices, touting the “convenience” of having a wide variety of clip art images compiled (sometimes by theme) on a single source.

In reality, a great deal of clip art images are commercially owned – and commercially valuable – copyrighted works that are licensed or sold by the copyright owner.  While some clip art images may look simple, there is often significant computer programming behind them (e.g., to make them perfectly scale-able at various display sizes and resolutions).  Graphics copyright owners have become increasingly frustrated by the growing infringement of their product by online profiteers on web sites and in a variety of auction formats.  While they are working to educate the public by sites such as this one, they have also filed an increasing number of lawsuits to raise public awareness of the problem of clip art infringement.

SIIA’s membership includes owners of vector-based copyrighted images, and SIIA is joining the fight against infringement of these works.  As part of its auction and online litigation program, SIIA will be filing suit and/or demanding payment from a variety of illegal resellers of clip art and related works.  And users looking to purchase these kinds of products online should, if there is any question regarding the authenticity of the product, “ask before you act!”  Illegal versions may have bugs or other discrepancies inconveniencing the buyer and, of course, harm the copyright owner and impair its ability to make and distribute new products.