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See the original image at i19.tinypic.com —

NIИ: McDonald's Steals Artwork from Nine Inch Nails

i19.tinypic.com — A side-by-side comparison of art found at a UK McDonald's and screenshots from a teaser trailer of "The Fragile".

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  • japface, on 12/16/2007, -2/+353For the whole image that is at mcdonalds restraunt in the UK: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/Spookymuffin ...
    • juggadore, on 12/16/2007, -19/+2uh, yes its very similar, but the posted art isnt real. someone took that greaser thing (that was not a part of the image) and made it part of the image. regardless, thats pretty cheap, ronald.
      • iigloo, on 12/16/2007, -1/+11It's the picture behind the ketchup-dispenser he's trying to show.
      • nogami, on 12/16/2007, -4/+46Perhaps it's just stock photography/artwork that both of them used?
        • Velirno, on 12/16/2007, -3/+17Stock font as well?
        • narcofiche, on 12/16/2007, -1/+18Possible, but the McDonald's logo cut in half like the NIN's one is proof enough.
          • Coffeedemon, on 12/16/2007, -2/+1I would imagine the person making the comparison did that when they added "Closeups of the Poster at McDonald's " to the top. You can see its not alligned properly either.
          • migvel, on 12/17/2007, -2/+4*****! digg me down
          • andrewry, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1Coffeedemon: Look in the middle column, bottom row, and they used half of their logo.
        • migvel, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2I dont think so, The artwork was made by David Carson, and if he was the artist who made the poster for McDonalds, he cant use the same stock photo. You cant use the art that you SOLD in another artwork.
      • TheTaoOfBill, on 12/16/2007, -14/+1Who cares! So they used a similar color scheme. Does it really matter? How do you expect art to progress without imitation.
        • kevxross, on 12/16/2007, -0/+7Similar color scheme? They stole (assuming it's not stock photography) 4 whole pictures from NIN.
    • maddhopps, on 12/16/2007, -0/+14Dugg for the url of the larger image (but "Spooky McMuffin" would've been even better).
    • mtgentry, on 12/16/2007, -23/+1I think its fake. Look at the left side of the poster, the vanishing point lines aren't straight. See here http://masongentry.com/images/ninposter.jpg
      • Seraph321, on 12/16/2007, -0/+7You think maybe it's just a poster not hung up tightly enough to be perfectly flat?
        • mtgentry, on 12/16/2007, -3/+0Its not the flatness thats an issue, its how the flower section creeps up into the photo above and below it. Like someone just pasted it there in photoshop and tweaked the perspective poorly.
        • japface, on 12/16/2007, -0/+4i think its either the poster isnt hung flat or that its because youre shooting with a camera... usually perspective is very slightly distorted towards the edges. things curve slighly when you get further away from the center. a very subtle fish eye effect happens if that makes it any clearer
      • epuiatti, on 12/16/2007, -6/+3your fake!
    • japface, on 12/16/2007, -0/+8i figure i'll put more pictures down that someone posted on the spiral for more proof

      http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/the_reanima ...
      http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/the_reanima ...
      http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/the_reanima ...
      http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/the_reanima ...
    • Rickler, on 12/16/2007, -2/+56Did anyone ever think that the photo's might just be LICENSED from a 3rd party. Look how high the quality is for McD. I doubt it was ripped from some video or w/e.
      • GawtMilk, on 12/16/2007, -0/+35No the McDonalds corporation definitely scanned a NIN album and used the image. It's the only logical explanation.
        • thadudesbro, on 12/17/2007, -2/+7why hasn't anyone considered the possibility that Trent ripped of Mickey Ds?


          j/k
      • wibambau, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1The photo appears in this book of David Carlson's work:
        http://www.amazon.ca/David-Carson-Fotografiks-Equi ...

        Also, this story actually happened more than a month ago, exact same photos then as now.
    • Matt2k, on 12/16/2007, -11/+4Information wants to be free
      It's not stealing if they still have a copy
      This doesn't cause them any financial harm
      Blah blah blah ***** you
      • lukasmach, on 12/17/2007, -1/+5Having a bad design CAN do financial harm. Originality is one of criteria by which you can evaluate whether design is good or bad. So copying someone's design actually puts them in danger of being unoriginal and thus potentially costs them money.
    • wild, on 12/16/2007, -9/+23Its called purchasing Stock photography. Designer resources for in-expensive photos.
      • timmyallen, on 12/17/2007, -1/+6pretty sure you have hit the nail on the head.
        • Murphious, on 12/17/2007, -2/+16Hahaha.. The NINE INCH nail if you will..
          Oh god, I'm going to get buried for that.
        • timmyallen, on 07/08/2008, -0/+1haha, well played.
      • LostSignal, on 12/17/2007, -0/+17The photos aren't stock, they were shot by designer David Carson. He actually has a whole chapter about the making of this cd in his book "trek". Also there's a video on the making of the album on a DVD.

        Also, it's more than just the photography. The whole layout, logo alteration, typographic conisderation, etc is aped from the layout. The layout, as well as Carson's work on the next two albums and a bunch of the singles had their rights purchased by Nothing Records so that they could make merchandise and other derivative works off them.

        And while I'm not that concerned about Trent and NIN having their cover ripped off, and I don't think this is really McDonnald's doing (more the fault of their ad company), I am concerned that someone took money out of David Carson's pocket. He's a damn good designer and should be paid for his work.
        • distrbnce, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2You got it, Lost Signal. I really wanted to get this all out, but you did it so well. David Carson is an awesome designer so anyone who knows of him knows these stock image comments are a little too shortsighted. Mysterious circumstance. They even copied the half-cut logo... I could only think the designer did it to pay some kind of homage, but... i dunno.
      • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1Even if it had been stock photography, someone put the design together for the NIN album, and some graphic design intern at McD's thought no one would notice his/her laziness.
    • spargett, on 12/17/2007, -0/+5This is more on the designer McDonalds hired than McDonalds themselves. I doubt any of the execs that approve artwork are familiar with NIN artwork.
    • appletalk, on 12/17/2007, -4/+4The real question is, why would they steal this ugly artwork ?
    • TwineHornet, on 01/02/2008, -0/+1I e-mailed David, the original designer of the NIN Fragile Album Art, and this is what he said:
      "yep, pretty unbelievable..... ive contacted a lawyer and trying to sort out what, if anything i can do....
      thanx for the note, david"
  • omnithought, on 12/16/2007, -14/+473McTheft
    • oxdeltaxo, on 12/16/2007, -10/+2dur
    • narcofiche, on 12/16/2007, -4/+19They probably thought that nobody would notice. I mean seriously, who has ever heard of Nine Inch Nails or McDonald's?
    • Deviant_Tech, on 12/16/2007, -1/+13I'm lovin it.
    • ScottoGato, on 12/16/2007, -2/+22Hamburglar must be waterboarded! We need to know the details of where the McDonald's sleeper cells are located.
    • doople, on 12/16/2007, -2/+14Not to say that McDonald's is a noble company (not so by any means). I do have to point out though, when we steal music/movies/artwork on the web, it's promoting the 'free flow of art and information', but when McDonald's jacks someone's art, it's theft.
      • therightclique, on 12/16/2007, -4/+4they jacked it and altered it. there's a huge difference. they stole it and called it their own. its not even similar to the ***** argument you presented.
        • Angostura, on 12/16/2007, -2/+7Both probably licensed it from the same stock photography outfit. Sheesh
        • lostmongoose, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3Doesn't matter if it was altered or not. Copyright infringement is copyright infringement. ***** by any other name still stinks.
      • Transmission3k, on 12/17/2007, -0/+5What do you mean "we," paleface?
    • j1ggy, on 12/17/2007, -1/+5McPwned.
    • DerekJ212, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3The difference is McDonalds is using it to make money.
  • shyner, on 12/16/2007, -6/+988The Hamburglar is stepping up his game, I see.
    • latova, on 12/16/2007, -27/+19LEAVE THE HAMBURGLAR ALONE!
      • TheNuminous, on 12/16/2007, -2/+12Yeah...I feel like that comment cheated me out of some of the mirth that shyner's comment had bestowed, like the final joke after a string of jokes at a party that stops everyone from laughing.
        • latova, on 12/16/2007, -6/+3I didn't realize the internets and digg was a party.
        • DeathMarcher, on 12/17/2007, -1/+3That's no excuse, but at least now you know.
        • taquitohater, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2If you didn't know that the internets was a party, then you've been doing it wrong
    • Hobbes24, on 12/16/2007, -2/+4...wait, your saying Mcdonald's isn't the family friendly, benevolent corporation we thought it was?
    • transitive, on 12/16/2007, -0/+1internet +1 for you
    • NaziHatinChimp, on 12/17/2007, -0/+8Bravo sir.

    • Tyrghast, on 12/17/2007, -0/+4he was framed
    • snareguy17, on 12/17/2007, -1/+2I can't remember the last time a digg comment made me laugh that much.

      Good form.
    • BevansDesign, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3"Will this administration EVER bring the Hamburglar to justice?!?"

      Let's see how many people get THAT particular pop-culture reference.
      • Maarek, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3Clerks: The Animated Series .... played by Al Franken as the mayor....
  • Sparkster185, on 12/16/2007, -5/+62I didn't believe it until the last one.
  • rjc5056, on 12/16/2007, -8/+214Am I the only one who thinks Tila Tequila looks like the Hamburglar?
    • Littleedgitt, on 12/16/2007, -10/+4What does this story have to do with Tila Tequila?
      • zephc, on 12/16/2007, -1/+23Nothing to do with her, but everything to do with that conniving Hamburglar!
    • lemon67, on 12/16/2007, -6/+3shes also not gay.
      • BevansDesign, on 12/17/2007, -0/+8What, the Hamburglar is gay? Give him a break...that kind of stuff happens in prison all the time; it just means his options were limited.
    • rheaume, on 12/16/2007, -7/+23She can look however she wants with her legs wrapped around my waist
      • Intenseboredom, on 12/16/2007, -3/+16So, does that mean she'll never have the right to look the way she wants?
      • spockezri, on 05/31/2008, -0/+0Jerk.

        Intenseboredom - good one!

        Because freaks like rheaume will never have that happen
    • MeatBiProduct, on 12/17/2007, -4/+5who the hell is Tila Tequila and why should the world care.
      • bubba9999, on 12/17/2007, -1/+6a bit of fluff on the worst channel in the US. Nobody should care.
    • drummer86, on 12/18/2007, -0/+0I think she looks more like a Bratz doll.
    • mojoel, on 12/18/2007, -0/+1Rauble rauble!!
  • stealth45, on 12/16/2007, -8/+36Ad agencies pull crap like this all the time, i don't get it.
    • ryanonfire, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2saves monies :D
    • adamchristopher, on 12/17/2007, -2/+1oh well that makes it ok. back to your business everyone, nothing to see here!
    • Nick519, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1"bad artists copy, great artists steal." -- pablo picasso
  • Dreamscar, on 12/16/2007, -8/+623Dugg for the backwards N
    • Madsen, on 12/16/2007, -5/+8How the heck did he do that...anyone knows?
      • chess64, on 12/16/2007, -0/+35It's Cyrillic—И.
      • voetsjoeba, on 12/16/2007, -0/+11Unicode baby!
      • BigBrother87, on 12/16/2007, -0/+18Unicode character 0418
      • Farik, on 12/16/2007, -2/+7If running Windows, Start --> Run --> charmap then look for it.
        • Malachai, on 12/17/2007, -1/+5Ubuntu (and GNOME, I assume), Applications > Character Map.

          Don't know about OS X.
          • Fartag, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2For KDE: KDE logo -> Utilities -> Character map

            Not sure about OS X either...
      • arizonagroove, on 12/16/2007, -0/+5In HTML you use an ampersand followed by # followed by 0148; with no spaces in between any of it.
      • spockezri, on 05/31/2008, -0/+0Well you can just go onto Wikipedia, type in "Cyrillic", then copy the И.

        (Which is really an I sound, like Мир, Mir)
    • bingobongony, on 12/16/2007, -24/+3241 people on Digg are easily amused.
      I guess when you are as unintelligent as the average Digger, things like backwards Ns or shiny objects do hold a special value.
      • mradules, on 12/17/2007, -1/+5You're insulting us? You? "bingobongony"? I'm afraid you're in no position to insult anyone here; I mean, come on - your handle is Bingo freakin' Bongo! Sad.
    • MaxPayne3476, on 12/16/2007, -18/+3Иigger

      ... is it still racist?
      • MonarchWastxD, on 12/17/2007, -1/+9Yes. Why the ***** would you do that? Are you retarded?
      • Jeffler, on 12/17/2007, -1/+6Whats so racist about Eigger? (Pronounciation conversion ftw)
    • anononon, on 12/16/2007, -0/+13Я
    • CokeClassic, on 12/17/2007, -0/+17Check these backwards letters out:

      A, H, I, M, O, T, U, V, W, X
  • doctorfungi, on 12/16/2007, -6/+88McDonalds being unethical? Say it aint so!
    • gllopc, on 12/16/2007, -4/+11Okay, I'll bite: It ain't so!
      • ChuyMatt, on 12/16/2007, -2/+6Stock. Photography. Yah, i wold say it ain't so.
    • bingobongony, on 12/16/2007, -3/+2OK...most likely it probably AIN'T sp. Not in this case.
      And I would love to hear howthey are being unethical elsewhere too. SElling food that is not 100% healthy does not make a company unethical.
  • jon30041, on 12/16/2007, -3/+42Those bastards... THOSE BASTARDS!
  • inobla, on 12/16/2007, -7/+53It's the Terrible Fries!!
    • TheLoneHoot, on 12/16/2007, -4/+15Dammit - I said something, realized I misread your comment, tried to erase mine, but now apparently I HAVE to leave a comment. Sorry. Digg down if you need to.
      • UtopiaInTheSky, on 12/16/2007, -2/+3Digg forgives you.
      • erikwithaknotac, on 12/16/2007, -1/+15I think you owe me a great big apology. TERRIBLE FRIES!
        • jon30041, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2Next time I hear that song, I will be craving fried potatoes. Thanks.

          *****. :(
          (jk, by the way)
    • cosmicpoet, on 12/16/2007, -2/+1Wow. Nice. Hahaha, that was very clever. Well played. "Terrible Fries". HAHA
    • TrevorBradley, on 12/16/2007, -1/+4You make me throw it all away...
    • briguymaine, on 12/16/2007, -2/+4at first LoneHoot was up above it, but now he's down in it. Shame.
    • OmarJasso, on 12/16/2007, -2/+1Do you eat the Terrible Fries WITH TEETH?
    • rezzy333, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1awesome. for reals. Thumbs up going your way
  • Alex2, on 12/16/2007, -9/+182Maybe they bought the rights to use the images. Maybe it's the ad company's fault if it happens to be recycled.

    But it's all ok, they're just stealing from the music industry.
    • theafroguy, on 12/16/2007, -2/+35And as we all know, stealing from the music industry doesn't count.
      • shark72, on 12/16/2007, -0/+1and when it's copying music, it's not "stealing" but "copyright infringement." For everything else, feel free to use the word "stealing."
    • Chongo, on 12/16/2007, -1/+6The design is a ripoff for sure... but the legality of the pictures is probably not going to matter. The designers probably got it from a stock photo site anyways.
    • ZachTorpy, on 12/16/2007, -6/+5Trent wouldn't sell out to a corporation, especially McDonalds.
      • therightclique, on 12/16/2007, -3/+6what!??!!? you do realize he's on a major label right? this ***** indie credibility he has now is a ***** joke.
        • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -1/+2Just because someone signs on to a major label doesn't make them a sellout. What, is he supposed to play in ghetto bars for the rest of his life to maintain his "starving artist" integrity? I don't blame Trent for wanting to cut corners by letting the label do the dirty work, such as distribution, etc. That doesn't mean he doesn't have power and that he isn't independent. He has a huge fanbase. He has all the power he wants to maintain his values and integrity, but he doesn't have to worry about distribution or PR. The label can do all that dirty work, which is a necessary evil for a musician to make a living from his art. Anyway, the label doesn't pay him. They make money because he writes great music, so he's paying them to do the boring part of the business so that he can write more music. What makes you think him being on a label immediately implies he would sellout to McD's?
        • TheDragon, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2Except for the fact that he told his label to ***** off when they were talking about overpricing his albums because, "His fans will pay anything at this point." And he paid for a promo ARG out of his own pocket, which lead to the label ripping off the idea to use with another act. Then theres the fact that he released an album on TPB, and has now released raw tracks for remixing on http://remix.nin.com/

          But yeah, he's a real prick because he's on a major label. What an *****. You're right. Such a sellout *****.
      • amohongos, on 12/17/2007, -1/+4A corporation pays his salary. He's acquired most of his fanbase from MTV and corporate radio. He plays in stadiums, does product endorsements, and charges huge amounts to produce other artist's songs. He's about as edgy as a butter knife. I hope to God that ZachTorpy is a naive teenager.
        • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2What product endorsements has Trent done? I haven't seen him on TV commercials. Please educate me. Thanks.
      • animaniac, on 12/17/2007, -1/+2Hey guys your sarcasm detectors are off.
        • thailand1972, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1So.....was everyone being sarcastic in the 100 other NIN threads on Digg that basically worshipped Reznor for being "down" with the kids and being all anti-corporate? Then when one commenter says "oh, you know, he made millions by being signed to a label" and everyone jumps on that commenter, are they being sarcastic too?
          • TheSmiddy, on 12/17/2007, -1/+1i believe he is actually "down in it"
    • TheDragon, on 12/17/2007, -2/+1Trent Reznor != the music industry.
  • gllopc, on 12/16/2007, -14/+135They probably used the same clip art CD. The same thing happens with sound samples in commercials, too.
    • descentgr, on 12/16/2007, -17/+15no. see how both logos cut out the lower half? it's a blatant rip off
      • descentgr, on 12/16/2007, -11/+6why am i getting dug down here? look at the pictures. the lower half of where it says 'mcdonald's' is cut out, just like the lower half of where it says 'nin'. that's a similarity that has nothing to do with the pictures used. besides that it's exactly the same font
        • exomni, on 12/16/2007, -8/+4Don't know about anybody else, but I dugg you down just because you asked "why am i getting dug down here?"
        • SPECOPS, on 12/16/2007, -0/+12On the clip art template, that is where it says "insert your logo/company here'
    • Klowner, on 12/16/2007, -0/+16Seems a little odd they'd use the flowers AND the yellowish photos with "easy" and "natural" on them. Even the same font for crap sakes, with the insides of the 'A' and 'R' filled in, I'm pretty sure it's an intentional ripoff.
      • Rahodeb, on 12/16/2007, -1/+2Maybe it's cross-promotion?
        • eddy23170, on 12/17/2007, -1/+0Maybe it doesn't matter because NIN is over-rated anyways
    • felch, on 12/16/2007, -4/+31That's not the case. The artwork for the Fragile was done by David Carson, and is not clip art.
      • therightclique, on 12/16/2007, -9/+4you're an idiot and an ***** for knowing that.
        • solid12345, on 12/16/2007, -2/+6So you are an idiot if you are familiar with great graphic designers?
        • unearth, on 12/17/2007, -2/+3^ Yes.
        • SolipsismX, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2It's common knowledge that Trent puts a lot of work into his production so it's pretty common for the fans to know the artists working with him. I knew David Carson did the fragile artwork just like I know Bill Viola did the videos for that tour, Russell Mills did the artwork for The Spiral-era stuff, Rob Sheridan is doing most of his stuff since With Teeth and gary talpas does his packaging.
    • jonshipman, on 12/16/2007, -5/+5When used by a guy with a diploma, we would like to use the word "stock" instead of clip art.

      Have a nice day,
      • mediaphile, on 12/16/2007, -1/+5It wasn't stock photography, either. It was shot specifically for the album.
        • Angostura, on 12/16/2007, -2/+2And you know this.... how?
        • phauwn, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1come on.... NIИ fans are hardcore... we also know what aftershave Trent uses, and he recently had a urinary tract infection.... its not that hard to figure out who did the art work if you want to.
    • Beowulf2112, on 12/17/2007, -0/+0It would seem that McDonald's would hire professionals to design their ads, ones who have moved past clipart.

      It would also appear that NIN would hire some pro who had also moved beyond clipart...
  • mastermagician, on 12/16/2007, -13/+21Think Trent eats at McDonald's much?
    • danwallace, on 12/16/2007, -2/+10I think Trent probably despises McDonald's.
    • epuiatti, on 12/16/2007, -19/+3Who is Trent?
      • pileofstraw, on 12/16/2007, -2/+10Trent Reznor is NiN, but I guess you don't know much about the band, which is ok anyway.
    • fuwath, on 12/16/2007, -7/+4"Who is Trent?"

      /Cry

      Blasphemy!!!!
    • Typhoon2009, on 12/16/2007, -1/+6Judging by the size of his arms (watch the video for Hand That Feeds) I don't think so.
    • rezzy333, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1yea i think hes done with the mc
  • danecluv, on 12/16/2007, -16/+4They both bought that pic from me!!!
  • graphictype, on 12/16/2007, -9/+80Who's to say the images belong to NIN? They could easily belong to anyone with a right to sell them off to who ever. Unfortunately Trent should not allow that to go to mcdonalds.
    • ufia, on 12/16/2007, -0/+6Who's to say that both the NIN and McDonalds posters wasn't designed by the same artist?

      /Something tells me some armchair detective didn't even bother to check who's the author of those artworks before going up in arm.
      • SuperSloth, on 12/16/2007, -2/+4The author or designer doesn't own the design. The one who commissions it does.
        • Angostura, on 12/16/2007, -0/+5BZZZT. It depends entirely what the basis of the commission was. I worked on magazines and when we commissioned artists to do graphics, cartoons etc, we bought the rights for single use in the magazine. The rest of the rights were the artists.
        • DrCyclops, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1This is usually the case.
    • epuiatti, on 12/16/2007, -11/+4Who is Trent?
    • migvel, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2The artwork was made by David Carson, and if he was the artist who made the poster for McDonalds, he cant use the same photo. You cant use the art that you SOLD in another artwork.
  • david5t, on 12/16/2007, -22/+5WHERES MY WHOPPER?!
    • richardiscool, on 12/16/2007, -1/+8At Burger King.
    • david5t, on 12/16/2007, -2/+7I guess the pun doesn't work until you see whopperfreakout.com. I failed, and I accept that.
  • Skidman, on 12/16/2007, -5/+8Trent's not going to be happy about this
  • iamnotbill, on 12/16/2007, -7/+34They should settle this in a celebrity boxing match.

    Grimus vs Trent.

    my money is on the purple machine.
  • lcmatt, on 12/16/2007, -9/+26How do you know its not just some stock image which both NIN and McD has used.
    • SolipsismX, on 12/17/2007, -0/+5Because David Carson was commissioned by NIN to do that work. It's not stock imagery.
  • psion01, on 12/16/2007, -13/+46Um ... Is it possible that BOTH McDonalds and NIИ licensed this artwork from a different source?
    • floatingpoints, on 12/16/2007, -3/+9Nope.
    • fkr3, on 12/16/2007, -4/+15Not on Digg, no. On digg the only possibility is someone stole from a represented band, which on digg is a terrible, terrible sin. For the life of this story anyway.
      • mediaphile, on 12/16/2007, -1/+7You're right. It has nothing to do with the fact that there were detailed videos about the creation of the photos and artwork for the Fragile album when it was released.
        • Coffeedemon, on 12/16/2007, -2/+2Jesus ... detailed videos? It takes 2, maybe three clicks to hit the various blur filters in photoshop. I suppose you could add a step if you used a mask instead but hardly worthy of a making a video about it.
          • mediaphile, on 12/18/2007, -0/+1You're right, that's all there is to photography, graphic design, and product design: blur filters. What was I thinking?
    • vyko, on 12/16/2007, -4/+3It's not just a single photo - four separate images are identical in the poster and in the artwork. NIN and McDonalds getting art from the same source may have held true if only ONE image was shared, but four?

      ... Why the hell are you two defending McDonald's with such a huge logical jump?
      • fkr3, on 12/16/2007, -5/+4I'm not defending McDonalds, just pointing out how hypocritical it is for digg users to care that someone stole from a band.
        • reignrk, on 12/16/2007, -4/+1NIN is not just any band.
          • fkr3, on 12/16/2007, -2/+6Sure they are... they got signed, they got successful, all with the help of labels. The only thing they did different to any other band was take a stance after they sold out.
          • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -2/+1If you're going to compare NIN to crapola like Nickelback or Blink 182 who just want to be famous and aren't creating art as Reznor does, then your viewpoint is seriously flawed. Being signed to a major label has many benefits, if an artist already has a fanbase (so has power over the labels). Being independent would take away from from Trent's creative time, having to manage distribution, etc.
        • EmitStop, on 12/16/2007, -2/+2This is different than stealing music. (Especially since NIN is known to encourage their fans to steal their music.) McDonalds is stealing from NIN, and then using it to make money from.
      • psion01, on 12/18/2007, -0/+1I'm not defending McDonalds. I'm defending critical thinking. It boggles my mind that so many folks here can arrive at only the explanation that McDonalds stole from Nine Inch Nails. I can think of a lot of alternatives, and not all of them reflect poorly on either party. In drawing a conclusion about intent and action, I'll need a bit more information than just a side-by-side comparison shot.
    • SquigglyP, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2It's possible to license the same stock photography, and it might be possible that they both used the same ad agency and that ad agency just decided to re-use the design, but if that's the case then that is one hell of a lazy ad agency (and i believe the rights for most designs like that - specific designs and layouts - are transfered to the recipient). someone will be sued here, tho. Either The agency who made the poster for McDonalds will be sued by NIN for design theft, or they'll be sued by McDonalds for re-using a design when, i'm assuming, they were paid for an original design and layout of some sort.
  • thegardengnome, on 12/16/2007, -11/+48They're probably just stock photos, and McD's happened to use the same one as NiN. This happens more often than you'd think when advertisers pull from the same pool.
    • inobla, on 12/16/2007, -9/+4Somehow I really have a hard time believing that NIN uses stock photos, but I suppose it's possible.
      • richardiscool, on 12/16/2007, -3/+2...
      • exomni, on 12/16/2007, -2/+0Why?
      • max420, on 12/16/2007, -2/+2So, what you think Trent Reznor designs all the posters and album art himself? I'm sure he has a hand in it, but he probably contracts the work out to professional graphic designers... who use stock photography. Every graphic designer in the world has used stock images at some point. I do all the time.
        • mediaphile, on 12/16/2007, -0/+3They had David Carson actually SHOOT the images for the design, just like they had Bill Viola shoot video for the tour. It was original artwork.
    • dontera, on 12/16/2007, -0/+7I once used this picture of a woman (shoulders up, water running down her, sensual look) I got from a stock agency for the label design of a "Natural Sexual Enhancement" product a client was selling. One year later I was in Hollywood Video and saw the exact same image being used as the DVD cover of some soft-core B-movie.
    • TitanX13, on 12/16/2007, -1/+1they sell porn at Hollywood Video??? i need to make a trip to the store brb
    • ryanonfire, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1yeah, this book called QTAC, that showed different uni courses, had the same picture KFC used on their walls in some stores.
      http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/Ryanonfire10 ...
    • SquigglyP, on 12/17/2007, -0/+4same stock photography: possible
      Same exact layout and effects: not possible unless the agency either stole it or re-used a design, either of shich is probably a bad idea for a high-profile contract such as McDonalds and NIN
  • inobla, on 12/16/2007, -3/+10McDonald's corporate probably had no idea. I'd bet they contracted a lazy unimaginative graphics artist to produce some posters. I'd also bet the 'artist' won't be hired on for anymore work after this.
  • noonz, on 12/16/2007, -10/+2Could be stock photography...but that doesn't make the McD's poster any less derivative
  • TheGreatBelow, on 12/16/2007, -9/+5Big Mac vs. Trent Reznor
  • sup4141, on 12/16/2007, -3/+47will the RIAA sue McDonalds?
    • whyufail, on 12/16/2007, -2/+8No, because NiN knows better than to deal with those *****.
      • fkr3, on 12/16/2007, -4/+3Yes.... now that they've made him rich enough to have his own opinion.
        • hardwickj, on 12/16/2007, -1/+1Or maybe because of the RIAA, Trent Reznor is 1/4 as wealthy as he could have been.
          • fkr3, on 12/16/2007, -4/+21/4 of fricking craploads more than most indie bands will ever see.
          • Tyrghast, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2@ fkr3, just cus it's an indie band doesn't mean it's good man, theres a reason some bands never get signed...
      • EmitStop, on 12/16/2007, -0/+5Well considering NIN is no longer part of interscope, would they really have a say whether or not the RIAA sues?
      • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1RIAA doesn't give money to the artists. They give money to the labels, since RIAA is the major labels. They're supposed to give money to the artists, but they don't, even though their crusade is under the guise of supporting artists. Just not true. The labels are afraid of losing money to the net, but insead of getting on board, they fight music on the net. That's why many artists, such as Reznor, speak out against RIAA, and are gravitating toward more digital music, and turning CDs into archaic coffee table conversation pieces.
    • guestaccount, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1I can see it now:
      RIAA wins, pockets 6.5 million, and gives Trent his $10
    • wibambau, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1No way. McDonald's bought the CD, they swear.
  • rglover, on 12/16/2007, -3/+2Came across this a few days ago, quite surprising.
  • AmelieGrey, on 12/16/2007, -4/+3did they not think we were gonna find out?
    • edicius, on 12/16/2007, -0/+3They don't give a ***** about us and what we think. Don't you know that?
    • artliquide, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1I think whoever approved these posters listens to Michael Bolton, not NIN, so when the intern showed the "finished" work, they had no clue. I don't entirely blame McD's because I don't think they would have gone forward with this if they had realized it was a ripoff. I do blame them for ignorance though, and for that, hopefully, they will pay.
  • rreadysetno, on 12/16/2007, -3/+16Does Trent use Digg?
  • AlanLivingston, on 12/16/2007, -9/+26McD's just torrented the images and the design layout off of the toobs. That's not wrong, is it?

    Silly me, I forgot I was on Digg, where hypocrisy rules.
    • Farik, on 12/16/2007, -6/+5Where we torrent for personal use, McDonald's is a business and, very easily, could have recurring customers simply because they like the art which gives no credit to the guy who made the art for The Fragile.
      • bingobongony, on 12/16/2007, -5/+9It is OK to steal if you don't have money?
        Seriously Farik..don't try using that excuse when you are among intelligent people. That may work with most people on Digg. But not in the real world.
        • leefnaspleaf, on 12/17/2007, -3/+6When I download music, I don't put it in any commercials in an attempt to make a profit.

          You ***** idiots.
        • thailand1972, on 12/17/2007, -1/+3@leef - anyway McDonalds likely purchased the design legitimately. It's just the whole idea of "Stealing" a design. Wait! How can it be theft? Because the person who originally created the design hasn't lost his original design? No, it's been copied! You can't steal if you copy - since nobody has lost anything! This is the (il)logic of many downloaders whether they originally bought the CD or not. AlanLivingston points out the hypocrisy when the word "steal" is used in this thread (that's my take on it anyway).
  • KlogereEndGrim, on 12/16/2007, -31/+4Who the ***** cares?
    And stop calling it stealing, NIN's still got their things and suffer no loss what so ever from this, stop whining and realize that if we want the right to copy and sample and alter media (like we should), then so should "they".
    in other words, stfu, ***** or gtfo..
    • mtgentry, on 12/16/2007, -2/+5I hope mcdonalds finds a copyrighted picture of you on flickr and puts it next to a fat greasy big mac.
    • pileofstraw, on 12/16/2007, -0/+3problem here is that someone gets paid at least 50K a year working for McDonalds marketing team and they end up with this without much efforts.. not that it makes any difference for any of us...only top managers at McD who dont need this ***** to get public on digg..!
    • phauwn, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1i wont hire you as my IP lawyer.
  • DeadSociety, on 12/16/2007, -13/+3This is really old.
  • AMSRay, on 12/16/2007, -10/+12Without knowing the dates, how do we know that NIN wasn't copying McDonald's? The stock images theory is also valid. I'm a NIN fan and I'm not knocking them, but people shouldn't be so quick to assign blame or assume theft. (Unless this was submitted by some RIAA tool, in that case it's their business plan)
    • distrbnce, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3The artwork for and around The Fragile is original by David Carson.
  • korashime2001, on 12/16/2007, -7/+3 "Good Artists borrow, Great Artists steal." And besides, we're talking about McDonald's here.
    • grimstar, on 12/16/2007, -3/+2You made a rhyme. lol.
    • banmaster, on 12/16/2007, -0/+5So, McDonalds are great artists????

      Get the ***** out!!
  • dichotom, on 12/16/2007, -2/+55I want to eat you like an animal
    You make me closer to god*

    *via heart attack
    • JrGhoull, on 12/17/2007, -3/+2well knowing how u changed the animal line...i take it u dont mean "eat" in terms of food consumption...?
      • dichotom, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3I would bet you "take it" lots of ways. And I would win that bet.
  • elblots, on 12/16/2007, -1/+7Robble Robble!
  • mtgentry, on 12/16/2007, -0/+17David Carson designed that NiN album cover and took that photo. I wonder if McDonalds hired him to design the poster and he then used the same photos in the design.
    • MalDON, on 12/16/2007, -1/+1That's what I'm thinking. A lot of artists have a set style, and they look too similar to say it's a ripoff.
      • letdowntourist, on 12/16/2007, -0/+2google david carson. people have been ripping off his style for more than a decade. love it or hate it, the dude's a design legend.
    • bmonzing, on 12/16/2007, -0/+5I emailed David. Let's see what his response is...
    • pacdude, on 12/17/2007, -3/+1Just as an aside, David Carson = Jesus. Just saying.
      • thailand1972, on 12/17/2007, -1/+1what - he's the son of Christ? I remember John Lennon saying the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. I've never heard of anyone claiming to BE Jesus (except David Icke, but hey.....)
    • fatal616, on 03/11/2008, -0/+1Word is he is considering legal action against Mcdonalds, so no - he didn't design for them.
  • jmskyrocket, on 12/16/2007, -14/+3Obvious photoshop. I can tell it in the pixels...
  • senatebuddy, on 12/16/2007, -16/+3I D F C
  • kwr007, on 12/16/2007, -21/+4Who cares? I would much rather eat at McDonalds and look at the McDonalds then have to watch some crappy NIN video trailer
    • pileofstraw, on 12/16/2007, -1/+2 then go go go go!!! lotsa trans fat waitin for ya kid and oh, don't forget all this hard earnt money $$$
      • kwr007, on 12/17/2007, -1/+0Yes all this hard earned money. What $1 for a Hamburger or Cheeseburger thats a lot of money. I know!!! I won't pay for ***** music like NIN so I can save money!!!! "Lotsa trans fat?" Grow up and exercise I hate to clue you but more people eat Lotsa McDonalds and are just fine
  • spoodigity, on 12/16/2007, -3/+29Not lovin' it.
  • tjmb9, on 12/16/2007, -2/+4McDonald's already lost a suit for copying that old show H.R. PufnStuf with the whole Hamburglar cast. They still have to pay the creators of the show today.
  • butiamjessica, on 12/16/2007, -3/+7It's not McD's stealing it's their ad agency.
  • INTERNETMASTER, on 12/16/2007, -8/+3HAHAHAHAHAAH hopefully mr. reznor will sue for millions. mcbastards.
    • sho222, on 12/16/2007, -0/+1Mr. Reznor. Ha. Nice touch.
    • rezzy333, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1I doubt he would. But I t would be awesome to see. Especially since Meathead would be all over it with hilarious flash cartoons and such.
    • thailand1972, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1Only if it's cool with the kids. He'll gauge reaction on Digg, then make his move. He'll probably not sue and make a big deal about not sueing, ensuring another round of worshipping on Digg for Reznor about being above money.
  • seanhive, on 12/16/2007, -2/+10lol, shameless. Love it.
  • joeclaus, on 12/16/2007, -19/+1NIN stole everything that defines their style from Joel Peter Witkin - the photographer. Serves 'em right. http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e159/forcefedopt ...
    • BattleScars, on 12/16/2007, -2/+4If that image is to define the talent of this Witkin fellow then I can't imagine why anyone would want to steal his 'style' of photography. It's awful.
      • joeclaus, on 12/17/2007, -1/+0You can't imagine b/c you don't have the capacity... Witkin has made more money with his talent than we will make in our lives, you and I combined. If you like NIN, give Witkin a look.
        • BattleScars, on 12/17/2007, -0/+1I'm not debating that the man is rich. I'm merely stating that he has incredibly poor taste (in my opinion).
    • Chronic, on 12/17/2007, -0/+2Reznor stole a musical style from a single photo? jesus, hes more powerful than i imagined.
      • ReinMasamuri, on 12/17/2007, -1/+1Well since the pic is referencing pictures, and we're talking about a photo artist, It's safe to say that no, he didn't steal the musical style from a single photo but the photo art for videos and cd covers.
  • jkizzle, on 12/16/2007, -10/+4im putting my money on stock photos purchased from the same agency.
  • HanSolo69, on 12/16/2007, -18/+2Trent Reznor should love this sort of free exchange of ideas....unless he's a complete asshat like I've always believed.
    • grimstar, on 12/16/2007, -0/+6I'm curious as to why you believe he is an asshat. Please explain.
      • HanSolo69, on 12/16/2007, -5/+1because he releases the same music over and over. and he shuns the record industry that has made him his fortune. that about sums up what it takes to be such.
        • inobla, on 12/17/2007, -0/+3You're right. I'll write him and suggest he releases a country album next. Guess what? HE'S made the record industry a bigger fortune.
        • Abudiwa, on 01/09/2008, -0/+1who made who a fortune?
    • inobla, on 12/16/2007, -0/+3Not exactly what I would consider a free exchange of ideas.
  • mcscan, on 12/16/2007, -10/+3I'm lovin' it.
  • jooaakim, on 12/16/2007, -0/+2Considering they even got the same kind of cut off logo i'd say it's not just stock photos..
  • dailyapplecrisp, on 12/16/2007, -1/+3ah yes I would like a mcfragile sandwich. SUPERSIZE IT.
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