Mobile phone logo
An operator logo is a slang term for a graphical or textual representation of a logo or a product lettering on a mobile phone . In contrast to this designation, a general distinction is made between the network logo (text logo) and a background image (picture logo).
Network logo ("operator logo")
The network lettering (in the picture: "network operator") is the text that designates the received network or a product of the received network. With a network provider, this is usually the name. If other tariffs apply to certain areas (e.g. a "home zone", an area that is managed by the network operator for the individual customer as a home area), this is usually also displayed next to the network logo (in the picture this would be "network operator home") .
The network lettering can be replaced by a graphic on most mobile phones. Numerous mobile phone accessory services (such as Jamba! Or zed ) have graphics on offer for this purpose, but the use of these services is chargeable.
Background images (mobile phones)
A background image can be defined on modern mobile phones with multi-color display. These are usually in GIF or JPG format and can be loaded onto the mobile phone via data cable, Bluetooth , GPRS , UMTS or using WAP and then defined by the user as a background image. Cellular accessory services like Jamba! also offer numerous graphics for a fee.
Purchase and distribution
The mobile phone accessory services use mobile phone technology to sell their offers. The user usually requests an offer by SMS with a code word that must be sent to a special speed dial number with sometimes special tariffs. For operator graphics, the provider usually replies with an SMS containing the desired graphic. Background images are usually obtained via WAP. After a request by SMS, the user receives a link that leads to the download of the desired graphic. In addition to the costs for the graphic, connection costs may also be incurred.
Copyright protection
According to a judgment of the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court of February 25, 2004 (file number 5 U 137/03), mobile phone logos are not protected by copyright, because their level of creation is not sufficient to be considered a work within the meaning of copyright law. Exceptions exist if trademark or personal rights are affected. Mobile phone logos can therefore be freely distributed by anyone.
criticism
Suppliers of chargeable mobile phone extras are under criticism because of the design of their offer. The customer usually orders the desired media as a subscription and has to pay a monthly fee for this subscription. Also controversial was the advertising of the providers, who drew attention to themselves with too small, complicated contractual conditions and at the same time distracting advertising content and encouraged many young people to purchase the offers without hesitation. Today, this form of advertising is restricted by law: In Germany, no advertising for ring tones and similar mobile phone software may be broadcast between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The advertising must be suitable for very young children (must not be harmful to minors) and the conditions must be clearly understandable in a font that can be read on all televisions.