# Why are all art works blurred on HGTV shows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 3, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178 "2009-05-03T15:19:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/1 "2009-05-03T15:19:42Z")
My wife is a big fan of the HG network and for the last six months or so I have been noticing that the art work of the origional owners’ homes on the network’s shows is blurred. Other times it has been obvious that it has been removed completely. We thought about possibly copyright problems, but this sounds illogical. We also thought about fear of theives, but this also sounds somewhat ridiculous since indications are in some cases that the stuff on the wall are prints. It even occured to us that some of it might be stolen art that the owners did not want shown, but the sheer numbers of this makes this stupid. So why do they blur out all the art? ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/2 "2009-05-03T15:45:06Z")
For the smae reasons why the folks being filmed need to sign releases and you can’t use music in a show you don’t have rights to. They can either: 1. ignore the rights issue hoping they don’t get that 1 in 100 chance the artist cries foul and wants money 2. find every single rights holder of every single object in every single frame of film and contact them with a release. 3. Blur it out and not have to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![in\_hiding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c5a1d2/32.png) [@in\_hiding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/in_hiding)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/3 "2009-05-03T15:49:22Z")
I noticed that in Penn Jillette’s youtube videos - no idea why they do that. I’d expect that people doing podcasts or putting videos online would want the world to see what art they like. Maybe because of some licensing trouble? As long as they only show their own stuff, they have full controll on their licensing. As soon as they show artwork, that might be more complicated (or impossible). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/4 "2009-05-03T16:20:05Z")
Boobies. When it’s abstract art: Abstract Boobies. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/5 "2009-05-03T16:48:10Z")
I’ve noticed blurring on clothing too – especially tee-shirts. I assumed it was because there was something obscene (or political) on the shirt, but they even blur shirts on little kids. Does Hannah Montana really care? Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/6 "2009-05-03T16:57:50Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I’ve noticed blurring on clothing too – especially tee-shirts. I assumed it was because there was something obscene (or political) on the shirt, but they even blur shirts on little kids. Does Hannah Montana really care? Maybe. Sometimes it is for other reasons. In televised poker they will blur some of the sponsors. Top poker players are sponsored by various companies. I’m pretty sure WSOP still has a rule that a player can only show the logo of one sponsor. They blur out the logos of the other sponsors. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/7 "2009-05-03T17:20:23Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I’ve noticed blurring on clothing too – especially tee-shirts. I assumed it was because there was something obscene (or political) on the shirt, but they even blur shirts on little kids. Does Hannah Montana really care? Maybe. Hannah might not. **Disney** most certainly does. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/8 "2009-05-04T05:58:57Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I’m pretty sure WSOP still has a rule that a player can only show the logo of one sponsor. They blur out the logos of the other sponsors. They tried to COMPLETELY ban it one year until the online poker rooms threw a fit. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Norder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@Dan\_Norder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Norder)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/9 "2009-05-04T16:10:26Z")
> [@TV\_time](#): > > We thought about possibly copyright problems, but this sounds illogical. Not sure why you thought it was illogical. They need permission to display artwork that’s copyrighted by someone else on their shows. Blurring is easier. ---
**Author:** ![cudavee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5ac83/32.png) [@cudavee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cudavee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/10 "2010-08-05T19:16:34Z")
they also blur the logos on cars. Guess it’s just typical 21st. century $$$ bullsh\*t. Like anybody really cares. Shakespeare had it right…first, kill all the lawyers ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/11 "2010-08-05T20:11:00Z")
There’s no legal reason to blur a company logo – as long as it’s on an item made by the company, they can’t complain about the use. Logos are blurred because of deals made with other companies that prevent you from using a competitors logo; or it’s a matter of the production company asking for money for product placement and not wanting the owner of the logo to say, “Hey, you did our competitors for free; why not ours.” But showing a trademark on a legitimately trademarked item is perfectly legal, as is mentioning the name of the company. Free speech trumps trademark law. For the paintings, though, it’s not trademark; it’s copyright. You are making a copy of the work when you film it. You can’t make a copy without the permission of the owner of the copyright. If an artist decided to sue you, you’re probably screwed. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/12 "2010-08-05T20:17:20Z")
T-shirts and baseball caps with writing on them are blurred on Mythbusters. ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/13 "2010-08-05T20:20:35Z")
They did it to our house and our neighbor’s place when we were on Trading Spaces. Claimed it was for copyright reasons. ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/14 "2010-08-06T02:52:30Z")
Was there already a thread about your experience on Trading Spaces? Was it fun? ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/15 "2010-08-06T13:01:05Z")
> [@kbear](#): > > Was there already a thread about your experience on Trading Spaces? Was it fun? Yep, here is the original [thread…](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=400764&highlight=Trading+Spaces). Like I said in the original, I’m glad I did it, but probably wouldn’t want to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/16 "2010-08-06T13:49:33Z")
It’s a copyright issue. There’s a famous case about it, [Ringgold v. BET](http://www.ncac.org/art-law/op-ring.cfm). It involved an artist who was pissed because a reproduction of her work was shown unblurred and without permission on the set of the sitcom “Roc.” You can’t violate copyright even if the use objectively benefits the copyright holder, ie by promoting their work. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/17 "2010-08-06T20:44:13Z")
Thanks for the idea-- I’m going to market Pre-Blurred Art. Visitors to your house will assume they’re in One Fine Media-Worthy Crib. And maybe even currently on a reality show! For a few extra bucks, I’ll pixellate my artwork for you. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/18 "2010-08-12T15:53:57Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > T-shirts and baseball caps with writing on them are blurred on Mythbusters. The bizarre part of that is that they could just not wear them. This is what they do in most reality shows: ban the contestants from bringing clothes with logos so they don’t have to deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/19 "2010-08-12T16:04:27Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > It’s a copyright issue. There’s a famous case about it, [Ringgold v. BET](http://www.ncac.org/art-law/op-ring.cfm). It involved an artist who was pissed because a reproduction of her work was shown unblurred and without permission on the set of the sitcom “Roc.” > > You can’t violate copyright even if the use objectively benefits the copyright holder, ie by promoting their work. Which is further proof that our copyright system is barking mad. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178/20 "2010-08-12T16:08:24Z")
What I can’t figure out is why AFV now blurs out the date that’s on so many home videos. Like is it some sort of state secret that the dog peeing on the bridesmaid did so at 12:46:12 on 09/03/2009 or something? They didn’t use to do this and now it seems to be universal. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-art-works-blurred-on-hgtv-shows/495178.md?page=2)