Product Support

Symbols

Problem

What are the copyright restrictions for using symbols

Solution

The symbols provided with Writing with Symbols 2000, are owned by the symbol publishers. Although they are protected by copyright, this does not mean you cannot use them in your own publications of materials.

This page describes what you can do and when you need to seek specific permission. We always try to help, and to make sure that you are not prevented from making information accessible to people who need it.

What you can and cannot do

Writing with Symbols is supplied with either the Widgit Rebus Symbols, which are owned by Widgit Software and the PCS symbols which are owned by Mayer- Johnson.

These notes relate to permissions for the Widgit Rebus Symbols or for the original Rebus Symbol Collection. The symbols, which are printed using Widgit Rebus Symbols, or the original Rebus Symbol Collection, are protected by copyright. This does not mean that you are prevented from using them in your documents or on your web sites.

Widgit Rebus symbols

Symbols used in printed documents: If the use is for non-commercial purposes then they may be printed and distributed without additional permission under the following conditions:

Printed symbols may be freely distributed within the purchasing organisation under the purchasing limitations described on your licence agreement.

A printed symbol document or set of documents, which in total contain less than 100 different symbols from those in the Rebus Symbol sets currently available.

Where the distribution is outside of your organisation an acknowledgement shall be included on the source and copyright of the symbols contained as follows:

"Widgit Rebus symbols used with permission from Widgit Software Ltd Tel: 01223 425558."

Symbols included in commercial publications, or where the use falls outside of the above:
You will need to contact Widgit Software at Naomi@widgit.com for specific permission. There are not normally any difficulties in obtaining such permission. You will be required to provide a copy of the materials to Widgit Software for their reference collection.

Symbols used on a web site

If you create a page of HTML from Writing with Symbols 2000, a copyright statement is automatically added:
The symbols on this page are copyright of the commercial owners. They may not be copied or used in any other format without the written permission from the owner. The graphic files produced by these symbol images may not be used in any way other than to enable the viewing of this specific document.

You must include that statement if you use these pages on your web site.

If you want to include symbols in any other way on your web site, you may do so if the number of different symbols does not exceed 100 AND you include the following copyright statement in an easily accessible place on your site:

Many people who use symbols on their web site like to link to the Widgit web site, if you would like us to similarly make a link to your pages, please contact Naomi@widgit.com to arrange this.

Widgit Software is very keen to see their symbols used effectively to support people in all contexts. There are rarely any difficulties in gaining the necessary permission to use them. The copyright reflects the considerable amount of work done in creating and maintaining the sets, ensuring quality, and developing new products.
It is not a barrier to their use.

You can see the copyright and usage regulations for the PCS symbols on their web site at:
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/copyright/main.html

You may also have the Makaton Symbols, which are owned by the Makaton Vocabulary Development Project (MVDP).
Their information is available at http://www.makaton.org

If you are not sure which symbols you are using click on the links below to see samples of each symbol set.
Widgit Rebus
Mayer Johnson PCS
Makaton

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