The Interstate's Forgotten Code - CPG Grey

[TEG24601]

CPG Grey has a great video on the Interstate Highway System

[Max Rockatansky]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

[stevashe]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

Knowing Grey, I wouldn't be surprised if this was for legal reasons since the Interstate shield is technically copyrighted.

[Max Rockatansky]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

Knowing Grey, I wouldn't be surprised if this was for legal reasons since the Interstate shield is technically copyrighted.

I should note that I was kind of being sarcastic in that original post.  There is a habit in the hobby to flip out over non-MUTCD complaint signage in posts and graphics.  If anyone wants a real assessment of the video, I found it sufficient enough to illustrate Interstate conventions.

That said, who in the Federal Government is actually going to try to enforce the Interstate copyright?  There is a whole lot of merchandise out there such as reproduction shields, shirts and stickers that would be way more in violation than a fair use graphic.

[Bruce]

He's left a few notes in the Reddit thread for the video, mainly for content cut for time.

[Scott5114]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

Knowing Grey, I wouldn't be surprised if this was for legal reasons since the Interstate shield is technically copyrighted.

The font is public domain, however. (Actually, fonts can't be copyright/trademarked in the United States, only their names.)

I'm amused that the line that appears when he mentions I-50 not existing basically follows the US-412 corridor (there's been a debate in Central States about whether or not 412 is worthy of the I-50 designation when it's upgraded).

[SkyPesos]

Really liked this video, especially the humor, like spray painting a leading 0 in front of I-5. Like how he mentioned that the first digit choice of 3di that goes between two different 2di is inconsistent. Also, the part about wanting an I-995 in Maryland just to complete their set 

[TEG24601]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

Knowing Grey, I wouldn't be surprised if this was for legal reasons since the Interstate shield is technically copyrighted.

The font is public domain, however. (Actually, fonts can't be copyright/trademarked in the United States, only their names.)

I'm amused that the line that appears when he mentions I-50 not existing basically follows the US-412 corridor (there's been a debate in Central States about whether or not 412 is worthy of the I-50 designation when it's upgraded).

Technically nothing created by the US Government or its departments can be copywritten/copyrighted, so there cannot be a copyright on the Interstate Shield, regardless of what is claimed.

[US 89]

Lost me the second I saw that font on the I-90 shield.

Knowing Grey, I wouldn't be surprised if this was for legal reasons since the Interstate shield is technically copyrighted.

The font is public domain, however. (Actually, fonts can't be copyright/trademarked in the United States, only their names.)

I'm amused that the line that appears when he mentions I-50 not existing basically follows the US-412 corridor (there's been a debate in Central States about whether or not 412 is worthy of the I-50 designation when it's upgraded).

Technically nothing created by the US Government or its departments can be copywritten/copyrighted, so there cannot be a copyright on the Interstate Shield, regardless of what is claimed.

The Interstate shield is not copyrighted, but it is a registered trademark of AASHTO (which is not a governmental agency), and I believe the main purpose of that trademark is to prevent DOTs from signing roads as interstates without AASHTO's approval.

[Bruce]

Regardless of the actual copyright status, video creators do need to toe the line around whatever YouTube might think of it. There's a lot of fraudulent copyright sniping done on the platform that can ruin a creator's revenue for months, so many err on the side of caution with assets that aren't 100% theirs (and even then, they still can get burned).

[Scott5114]

I think it's more likely that CPG Grey just changed the font as a form of artistic license rather than any sort of copyright concern.

While there are some agencies that are extremely strict about their shields being used for for-profit enterprises (NJTA has sent a cease-and-desist to someone selling replica Turnpike shields), Interstate shields are more or less fair game, as AASHTO doesn't actually seem to enforce the trademark. I think the reason for the trademark was mostly to have a cause of action against businesses trying to deceive motorists into thinking their billboards were legitimate traffic control devices. That seems to be a concern that never materialized.

[SSOWorld]

A couple non-roads friends sent me the link (one even bragged how WI was excluded - in favor of it's competitor... North Carolina!)