Artist's family asks Google to take down Thursday's `painted' logo

mercury news ^ | 4/20/06 | Elise Ackerman

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

After angering authors last fall with a wide-ranging book-copying project, Google may now be alienating some visual artists as well by allegedly reproducing famous works in drawings on the search giant's home page.

On Thursday, the family of Joan Miro was upset to discover elements of several works by the Spanish surrealist incorporated into Google's logo.

``There are underlying copyrights to the works of Miro, and they are putting it up without having the rights,'' said Theodore Feder, president of Artists Rights Society.

In a written statement to the Mercury News, Google said that it would honor the request but that it did not believe its logo was a copyright violation.

``From time to time we create special logos to celebrate people we admire,'' the statement said. ``Joan Miro made an extraordinary contribution to the world with his art andwe want to pay tribute to that.''

Google changes the logo on its homepage to reflect events such as the Olympics or Albert Einstein's birthday.

Feder said the society receives hundreds of requests each day from media organizations who are interested in reproducing a copyrighted work in some form. He said the authorization process is simple: all Google needed to do was send an e-mail asking permission to use the images.

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

``From time to time we create special logos to celebrate people we admire,''

obviously they don't admire the United States as they neglect many American holidays...

[VRWCmember]

Is this what the fuss is about?

[Red6]

But they do admire Bush! After all, some time ago had you typed in "Miserable failure" in a Google search president Bush would have populated several of the top ten search results. Coincidence? Sure, I believe it, you? (sarcasm off)

[Dan Nunn]

Yes. Talk about making a big deal about nothing.

[Always Right]

``From time to time we create special logos to celebrate people we admire,''

Which is why they don't create logos for Christmas or Easter.

[in hoc signo vinces]

One person's art...is another person's kid's etch-a-sketch drawing...

[nuconvert]

I think it's neat

[Skooz]

For a minor fee, I will let Google use one of my daughter's Kindergarten art projects we used to hang on the fridge. I'm sure they're in a drawer somewhere.

No one will know the difference.

[keat]

Still there as of now.

What do you think they'll put up on Robert Mapplethorpe's B-Day?

[Wonder Warthog]

"On Thursday, the family of Joan Miro was upset to discover elements of several works by the Spanish surrealist incorporated into Google's logo.``There are underlying copyrights to the works of Miro, and they are putting it up without having the rights,'' said Theodore Feder, president of Artists Rights Society."

Sorry, Ted--but there is no such thing as an "underlying copyright". Copyright only applies to specific and complete works.

[calljack]

Google is run by a$$holes.
I remember when the google logo was in Braile

[wallcrawlr]

PR stunt

[Mad Dawg]

The family of Joan Miro need to get a life -- and to understand and accept it gracioulsy when their famous progenitor is honored. Sheesh.

(Is it really "Joan"? Interesting.)

[Stone Mountain]

Do you still believe this? Access one the dozens of threads here that will explain to you how Google's system works, what Google bombing is, etc.

[LibWhacker]

I don't know about Spanish elements, but when I saw it the other day I immediately objected to the strong islamic elements: crescent moon, eclipses (which involves the moon, of course), the night sky, and lots of disembodied human parts, eyes, lips, etc. ;-)

[who knows what evil?]

They're jealous of the way search engine 'Dogpile' dresses mascot 'Arfie' every time a holiday or significant event rolls around. Dogpile had 'Arfie' racing his 1040 to the mailbox a few days ago...LOL!

[tfecw]

"obviously they don't admire the United States as they neglect many American holidays..."

I'm sure they'll go out for May Day though. Has Hu personally thanked google yet? I saw he swung by comrade Gate's place.

[BunnySlippers]

I noticed it this morning and like it. :)

[Mark was here]

The family of Joan Miro need to get a life -- and to understand and accept it gracioulsy when their famous progenitor is honored. Sheesh.

This was just a first step towards a lawsuit so the family can sponge in some more money.

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

and go all out for earth day too. They might as well use the red star/sickle and hammer...