Model Railway Forum

Here's a point of discussion for you all...

Were you aware that it is contrary to the Geneva Convention to use or display the red cross, unless you are a member of a recognised red cross organisation?

I didn't until some time ago when I came across this :- https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/9 ... ed-crosses

Prompted by Sam's Trains' video on the ww2 Siphon G ambulance coach, I got thinking... how is this handled for models? I did some research and couldn't find anything regarding automatic exceptions when used on scale models.

So, I contacted Accurascale be their chat facility... and asked the question. They returned with this :-

Accurascale wrote: Thank you for getting in touch and your enquiry. As it’s a scale model representation of a prototypical vehicle’s livery, and as such requires no legal licensing arrangement.

They also provided this link when I asked for a reference of that information :- https://www.icrc.org/en/guidelines-red- ... undraising

I've pointed out to them that the link is referencing fundraising, and also specifically states that items for sale displaying the Red Cross are prohibited.

ICRC wrote: (f) the ICRC shall not authorize the display of the ICRC logo on items offered for sale, but may authorize its reproduction in separate leaflets accompanying the items for sale and in the company's advertising material;

what do you think?

This is something that would never have crossed my mind. Can’t see how it would affect a model. I suppose the idea is that the red cross could be displayed on a vehicle with the hope that it wouldn’t come under attack.

That’s what happens when you watch Sam's Trains, makes you have strange thoughts.

I dont think this is a good discussion topic, and as for Sams Trains his name kills any railway subject.
I will get my coat.

I’m with Accurascale, there is no relevance to a model. R-

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Thu Jun 15, 2023 1:48 pm I suppose the idea is that the red cross could be displayed on a vehicle with the hope that it wouldn’t come under attack.

I have seen references in the documentation it is exactly for this purpose... but here's my question : if it's completely fine on a model, why is it not fine to use the red cross in a game? (It's not just stardew valley that have had to remove their use of the symbol).

Sorry Stese I can’t answer that. I have as much interest in these sort of games as I have in Sams Trains.

There are hundreds of models available with the red cross, it’s a strange old world.

I think the restriction is aimed at people or organisations taking advantage of the Red Cross brand and making money from it rather like a charity bag scam which pops through your door purporting to be collecting for a well known charity when in fact it makes money for some dodgy export business to the third world.
The use of the RC emblem in a game or model to make money is not quite the same, because as has been said it is a representation of a real thing. The simple way is to get specific exemption permissions for such use in writing from RC.