"Tax Inspector" cartoon...

"Tax Inspector" cartoon...

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Good morning,

Does anyone know whether the tax inspector cartoon (bowler hatted, moustache, striped trousers) used in the HMRCs literature/advertisements is considered a generic illustration which can be used by anyone (in advertising/presentations) or is it legally the property of HMRC?

Many thanks in anticipation.

tladirect

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By jr23brightonacuk
17th Apr 2012 08:59

CGT on disposal of "second" property

A friend is in the process of selling a flat which he purchased a while ago as an investment. As this is not his principal residence, CGT will be due. My question is - what (or who), if anything, in the normal course of a property sale would alert the HMRC to the disposal of property and subsequent CGT liability? Or, do the HMRC rely on individuals to declare such gains for CGT purposes?

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By JCresswellTax
17th Apr 2012 09:00

You mean Hector?

I dunno

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By JCresswellTax
17th Apr 2012 09:03

Thread Hijacking

Very cheeky sir!

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By MarionMorrison
17th Apr 2012 09:24

[***]-Up rather than hijacking?

I'm sure it'll pop up as it's own thread in time.  As for Hector the Inspector, I'm sure that the copyright originally belonged to the artist, but that the Revenue will have bought the rights to use his image in all Revenue things (not that they actually do any more).  

However the rights of others to use the image would be subject to the normal copyright rules.  Not that this has stopped me using the figure on a number of re-imagined captions and frankly obscene suggestions.  All helps make newsletters a little more interesting, but the Revenue dropped Hector in favour of Adam Mars-Jones and then Moira Stuart, so he doesn't get out so much these days.

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By daveforbes
17th Apr 2012 11:02

Hector
I though Hector was under investigation for the use of an image rights company (IRC) to aggressively avoid tax liability.

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By tladirect
17th Apr 2012 11:37

Hector

Yes I recall his name now.

The reason I ask is that I was considering using "the image" in some (tasteful) advertising.  If the drawing is subject to aggressive copyright protection I may use a "Hector" inspired/derived image instead.  Any thoughts?

tladirect

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By Steve Kesby
17th Apr 2012 12:02

Hector's outdated

Tax Inspectors just don't look like that any more. Take this one. All that's missing is the bone.

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By cfield
18th Apr 2012 15:26

Hector the Inspector
I found his image on-line a couple of years ago and used it on a slide for a Powerpoint presentation I was doing, but I'm sure HMRC own the rights so probably best not to publish it in a permanent medium like a website.

A funny story I heard about Hector a few years ago. Obviously they chose that name to rhyme with Inspector, but it was only when the TV campaign for tax returns was about to be launched that someone at the Revenue got hold of a dictionary and realised that Hector also means to bully or harasss.

Not wishing to be identified with such obnoxious behaviour (!!) they tried to change the name, but it was too late and the TV campaign went ahead. It probably explains why poor old Hector was pensioned off early - like most of their staff!

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By tladirect
19th Apr 2012 08:50

Much appreciated

Thank you all for your comments.

tladirect

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By Purple_Pig
19th Apr 2012 10:14

Hector

Why risk it - just use a picture of a donkey instead.

 

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