Expelled - More Copyright Infringement?
It seems that Expelled is generating a load of publicity recently, and not because of it’s release today. So far, the list of items Expelled has stolen is this:
- “Inner Life of the Cell” made by Harvard professors
- Music from John Lennon
- Music from The Killers
Could breaking web design licenses also be on that list? After a bit of poking around I found that the blog theme used on the Expelled site (http://expelledthemovie.com/blog - I’m not making it a hyperlink for very good reasons) is the same theme I use on my personal blog, albeit very edited.
Editing this theme isn’t against the license it has on it, but is has this very specific line:
A link back to N.Design Studio must be retained in the footer (either modified or unmodified)
The theme in question is GlossyBlue by the N.Design Studio mentioned, and it is a very good theme, being both attractive and XHTML compliant. I have contacted the designer to enquire whether Expelled purchased a license for the theme (which would enable them to remove the link), but considering they didn’t bother to pay for most of the rest of the film content, I really wouldn’t be surprised if they “overlooked” this as well.
On a related note, it seems the Expelled producers are denying making a copy of the animation (the similarities are hopefully enough to be prosecuted). This statement was place on their website:
Editor’s Note: Questions have been raised about the origination of some of the animation used in our movie EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed. Claims that we have used any animation in an unauthorized manner are simply false. Premise Media created the animation that illustrates cellular activity used in our film.- The Producers of “EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed”
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This is so tempting to do and yet so clearly wrong. Expelled may find themselves in another legal foxhole, but since it is so common, this is the easiest one to get out of.
Oliver
18 Apr 08 at 2:18 pm (GMT)
They purchased appropriate licenses for use of The Killers’ song, but they did so in a deceptive manner, according to a comment here.
Jim Lippard
18 Apr 08 at 2:33 pm (GMT)
Hmmm, I’d prefer to wait until an official announcement from the band. The wikipedia entry hasn’t updated yet, which generally means there are contradicting reports.
Adrian Hayter
18 Apr 08 at 3:47 pm (GMT)