One of the components of creativity is sweat of the brow work. Without that, creativity is unrealised.
Photography is often mechanical reproduction. My picture of the moon will look similar to millions of others. Does that mean you'd take my picture of the moon and use it commercially without asking me first? I would take issue with that!
The way the light falls on that VHS tape may have been a perfect match for the design brief. In which case, something other than mechanical reproduction is involved in signing off on the product artwork.
Photography is often mechanical reproduction. My picture of the moon will look similar to millions of others. Does that mean you'd take my picture of the moon and use it commercially without asking me first? I would take issue with that!
The way the light falls on that VHS tape may have been a perfect match for the design brief. In which case, something other than mechanical reproduction is involved in signing off on the product artwork.