Template talk:PD-USGov-Military-Badge

The text of the template indicates that because the inspiring materials were works of the US government (and therefore public domain), that the derivatives are also works of the US government (and therefor public domain). I really don't think that's correct, as I'm fairly certain that the "public domain" isn't a viral application of copyright, and I'm pretty sure derivative works aren't inherently works of the derived works' author. I'm not a copyright expert, though, so I could be wrong. --Short Circuit (talk) 19:32, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

I also dont think this is correct, especially the various variations of disney figure drawings. This badges are located everywhere in the category tree Category:PD US Military Badge > Category:PD US Military (and all subcategories) > Category:PD US Government, I mean for example File:341st Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png which is nice but not free for the given reason. --Martin H. (talk) 21:25, 22 June 2010 (UTC)

If the U.S. government infringed on Disney's copyrights, that's pretty much a matter between the federal government and Disney. If Disney gave permission, then they surrendered rights over the characters as far as they're used in military emblems. The matter should probably be considered further, but I see no reason to immediately rush to delete. AnonMoos (talk) 09:41, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

The United States government did not infringe on Disney's copyright. They acknowledge the copyright in the work quoted as the source for File:341st Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png, Maurer, Maurer , ed. (1982) [1969] Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.), Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History ISBN: 0-405-12194-6. OCLC: 72556. . This book also has images copyrighted by Newspaper Enterprise Associates, and Milton Caniff. There is one unit emblem that is omitted from the book because the copyright holder did not grant permission to publish it. The following is quoted from the book, "The United States Government has obtained an assignment of the copyright on certain of the copyrighted emblems inclouded herein and a license to reproduce and use other of such copyrights. These licenses do not authorize the use of such copyrights by others without the consent of the copyright proprieters." Maurer, p. x.(emphasis added).

Further, the use of the term "badges" and "logos" in this template is vague and inappropriate. The US military distinguishes between "badges" (such as pilot wings) and other categories. In the Air Force unit insignia are "emblems"; in the Army, they may be "distinctive unit insignia", "shoulder sleeve insignia" coats of arms or others.

For almost all categories of items that this template is used for, the appropriate template is {{PD-USGov-Military-Army-USAIOH}} because The Institute of Heraldry (or its predecessors going back to 1923) has the responsibility for designing these items and there are statutory limits on the use of the designs, which are set forth in that template as shown here:

This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia produced by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. It is in the public domain but its use is restricted by Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 [1] and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507) [2], [3]. Permission to use these images in the USA for most commercial purposes must be obtained from The Institute of Heraldry prior to their use.

The limits on commercial use are not displayed in this template. --Lineagegeek (talk) 15:54, 9 June 2015 (UTC)

Clarify that PD applies in the US but not necessarily worldwide

{{Edit request}} Please change both instances of '''[[w:public domain|public domain]]''' to '''[[w:public domain|public domain]]''' in the United States instead. Although works of the US government are definitely in the public domain in the US, it is not clear by any means that such works are automatically also in the public domain outside of the US. Thanks. --Gazebo (talk) 06:38, 1 October 2016 (UTC)

 Done --Jarekt (talk) 16:58, 6 October 2016 (UTC)