I have had the following cards declined supposedly due to copyright infringement because I had Harley in the title.
 
Product Id: 561269
Product Id: 561271
Product Id: 561274
Product Id: 561276
Product Id: 561279
Product Id: 561281
 
These images are nothing to do with Harley.
It's a motorbike made using a 3D graphics programme called Poser and does NOT infringe on Harley's Copyrights.
I have removed Harley from the title but am unable to re-submit so would appreciate if the declined status could be removed.
 
Reviewers really should check with the artist BEFORE declining cards.
 
Thank you

There are a 1000s of common expressions that are copywrited, and likely "Don't be Cruel" is one of them along with "thank you, thank you very much."  I had one card with the expression "Feel the Love" on it that got me in trouble - it was a copywrited expression (who knew??).  Copywrite owners have search programs that run across the internet trying to snoop out violators.  GCU is trying to avoid us having to deal with those potential violations by filtering them out during the review process.  

Here's a link that discusses fair use.
http://law.uark.edu/news-and-events/archive/2009/copyright-law-chills-fair-use-f ree.html
 
I don't think expressions should be copyrighted, except when they pertain to the original use. (However, the legal profession has not asked my opinion!) How long before every phrase is copyrighted so we can't use anything! I know GCU wants to avoid problems, but this is an important issue for artists and writers. We don't want to be copied, yet we don't want more and more of our language off limits.  Where to draw the line?  
 
(Ecclesiastes 1:9-14 NIV) What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. {10} Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.  

Quote from Renae_139784 on Feb 6^th, 2010, 1:53pm:

 
Hi Renae,
 
I see that you are on Cafepress who doesn't even have a review cycle of any kind.  They have the same expectations as GCU and when you upload an image you are agreeing to handle copyright fraud on your own.  Zazzle, other than postage, has a very limited approval cycle, though they catch what they can that way.  In their forum, it suggests they pull many items long after the approval cycle for copyright issues.
 
My point being, just because GCU is doing a very thorough job of researching potential copyright issues and other POD sites do not, does not make GCU wrong and the other places right.  That phrase, if it is copyright material, may ultimately be pulled from those sites as well in the long run.
 
Elvis, Harley Davidson, and many others are EXCESSIVELY stringent on the copyright of their phrases, product names and representations thereof.  It's just the way things are.   Good Luck!!
 
Bits - I hope your cards, now that Harley was removed from the title, will be approved!

BTW Catherine that was a very interesting article....one that should be read by all.
In the meantime, I found this:
 
How do I copyright a name, title, slogan or logo?
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information. However, copyright protection may be available for logo artwork that contains sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be protected as a trademark.  
 
On this government website
www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
 
I'm off to check trademarks....

Hi Renae,
 
I certainly agree with you and others that the copyright and trademark laws are often more confusing than helpful, and what you can or cannot claim is crazy.  So all we artists, and GCU can do, is our best to avoid using phrases and names that could be considered copyright infringement.  I personally do not have the time to research all my work.  I know that when I am creating it, it is being created by me without any thought of infringing on someone's property and that is why if GCU declined a card for that reason, I would accept their judgment and move on.  They are better experts in this field than I could ever be without spending time I simply don't have.
 
Copyright infringement will always just be that, a call of best judgment by those in a position to make the call.  I did once find some lists of phrases which are copyright/trademark protected and have sought my own trademarks in the past.  All I can say is that usually if you utilize the phrase in the same or similar context in which it became famous, then most likely you are infringing on the copyright and/or trademark.
 
Who knows?  I live by the rule that if it might be, then I avoid it  

I so totally agree with you and I have moved on...actually I'm waiting on St Patricks Day cards to be approved. But, I don't think Elvis ever said "Don't Be Cruel...Be My Valentine"
Really thank you though for all your insight....
Renae

On another site some artist used the phrase, "Got Milk?" and got their artwork rejected.  One other thing that comes into play are "Itellectual Property Rights."  I had taken a great photo of an NFL Stadium and was selling it on postcards.  The NFL contacted the company and the company in turn emailed me letting me know it had been deleted in order to avoid a law suit.
 
You would think the NFL site would sell posters or some other merchandise with an image of this stadium on it for the fans but they don't.