Toyota Demands Payment For Fan Created Wallpapers

Toyota Demands Payment For Fan Created Wallpapers

Motoring giant Toyota is normally ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. The company is known for innovations like the Synergy Drive in the Prius, as well as long term reliability. However, if you take pride in your Toyota, and have it as a wallpaper on your system, Toyota doesn’t want you sharing.

Toyota, one of the biggest car companies in the world, is often a name synonymous with quality. There is even a philosophy of doing business, called “The Toyota Way”, which emphasizes that the right result will come from the right process, and that solving the root problems brings the organization the greatest benefit.

This ‘Way’ is probably not communicated to its lawyers in great detail, which is why Desktopnexus, a site that provides desktop backgrounds, has been contacted by them. In perhaps one of the most wildly arrogant demands in DMCA history.

Toyota’s lawyers are demanding the withdrawal of all wallpapers that feature a Toyota, Scion, or Lexus. The site’s owner, Harry Maugans contacted Toyota to clarify. He was told that all images featuring Toyota vehicles should be removed, even images with copyright belonging to others.

 


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HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 11/17/2008 3:44:37 PM
+9 Boost
Other than Michael Taylor, who would want a Toyota as their computer background?


M53RM53R - 11/17/2008 4:01:31 PM
+8 Boost
My exact thoughts.

this is stupid.


WillisWillis - 11/17/2008 5:03:38 PM
+5 Boost
+1

The only beautiful Toyotas are some of the older Celicas from the 1970s and early 1980s. Those things had style. The rest? No. Toyota is synonymous for quality, true, but also boring and uninspired styling. And the copying of names (iQ!!!!!).


holmstarholmstar - 11/17/2008 4:06:31 PM
+5 Boost
This is pretty questionable legally, and just plain stupid from a free advertising / pissing off the people who like your cars point of view.

What a boneheaded move. Reminds me of the music and video game industries.


answeranswer - 11/17/2008 4:07:07 PM
+2 Boost
The above fanboy nonsense aside, this is really stupid.

As long as the place isn't making money by offering the images, who gives a crap?

And unless Toyota is planning a far better fan website with their own downloads, then they should muzzle their lawyers.


M53RM53R - 11/17/2008 4:09:38 PM
+6 Boost
Yeah I might not be the biggest fan of Toyota out there.. but do you SERIOUSLY think people are willing to pay money to have a toyota desktop picture?


answeranswer - 11/17/2008 4:07:08 PM
-2 Boost
The above fanboy nonsense aside, this is really stupid.

As long as the place isn't making money by offering the images, who gives a crap?

And unless Toyota is planning a far better fan website with their own downloads, then they should muzzle their lawyers.


holmstarholmstar - 11/17/2008 4:31:10 PM
+7 Boost
even if they ARE planning a super mega most amazing fan site in the world, this is ridiculous! These wallpaper images amount to free advertising for Toyota. They would be stupid to destroy that.


NItePhireNItePhire - 11/17/2008 4:42:11 PM
+7 Boost
Let em do it. Just take their products down..


WillisWillis - 11/17/2008 5:05:03 PM
+8 Boost
Prediction: 35% of Toyota fans are going to be pissed off at this legal issue and will switch to Nissan etc.

LOL


SteedPubSteedPub - 11/17/2008 8:36:32 PM
+6 Boost
This is just as idiotic as when Ford was fooling around with this stuff last year. They just never seem to get it through their heads that they are biting the hand that feeds them.


wooodwoood - 11/17/2008 9:56:43 PM
+3 Boost
Maybe its just greed greed greed. Like those guys who sold mortgages to just about anyone.


truckmantruckman - 11/18/2008 1:22:59 AM
+5 Boost
PR at it's finest compliments of Toyota!


tundrahqtundrahq - 11/18/2008 7:01:29 AM
+3 Boost
Wow. Seems like the ultimate in stupidity. I understand the legal ramifications of failing to protect your image and logo, but isn't there a way to allow individuals to post their own wall papers of their own vehicles without having to make everyone pull them down? Perhaps a mandatory disclosure on every image to the effect "Toyota owns all rights to the Toyota logo and Toyota product image" or something (I'm no lawyer.) I'm dumbfounded.


sstainbasstainba - 11/18/2008 11:00:35 AM
+2 Boost
If a person takes a picture of his car - which he paid for - HE is the copyright owner of that image and can decide what to do with it. Toyota is going to have a hard time turning any judge the other way... but I'd love to see them try. :-)


WillisWillis - 11/18/2008 11:26:18 AM
+2 Boost
Toyota is the richest car company in the world - they can BRIBE any judge to come up with some major bullsh*t. LOL!!!


Chaordic1Chaordic1 - 11/20/2008 9:52:08 PM
+1 Boost
Really stupid!

In the recent past GM and Chrysler did something similar to companies that made toy cars. Companies like Mattel which makes "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" had to pay for the rights to miniature models based on real cars.

OTOH Ford was cool about it and did not have any interest in going after people who would reproduce images of their products.
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