The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 40, October 7, 2007, Article 25

HOW MUCH FOR A PICTURE OF A CANADIAN CENT?

Dick Johnson writes: "You won't believe this story. The
Royal Canadian Mint has demanded '$47,680 for using a picture
of the “tails” side of a Canadian penny in its brochures,
banners and advertisements for the [a] campaign, aimed at
persuading Ottawa to set aside one cent of every six collected
under the goods and services tax (GST) for municipalities.
The mint is also seeking compensation for the city's use of
the phrase “one cent” in the campaign.'

"Ever since photography was invented the illustrations of
coins have been in public domain. Likewise the phrase
'one cent' cannot be copyrighted. It belongs to the people.

"This is the most unwise move by a mint anywhere in the
world. Numismatic literature is affected. Keep an eye and
ear out for how this turns out. As devotees of numismatic
literature with coin illustrations we could be affected."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

[Here are a couple excerpts from the article Dick
forwarded.  -Editor]

"Mr. Wanagas said the mint has been in contact with city
officials since the campaign began last February but he
rejected suggestions that the city is negotiating with
the federal agency over use of the penny or the phrase
“one cent.” He said the city has every right to use
pictures of the most common of Canadian coins.

"“The penny is public domain,” Mr. Wanagas said. “This
is a coin that many people, if they see one on the ground,
they won't even bend over to pick it up. So let's be real here.”

"Alex Reeves, a spokesman for the mint, said the federal
agency has no political motives for the dispute with the
city but is intent on protecting its coins. “They are
registered trademarks of the Royal Canadian Mint,” he
said in an interview from Ottawa.

"He said the mint calculates the price of using its coins
or other associated images, words or phrases based on the
type of use and how widely it is distributed. Mr. Reeves
would not confirm the amount of money that the mint is seeking."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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