Legality of using logos in business
What is the legality of using logos such as Batman or JLS on or in products?
If I make a t-shirt Iron on Transfer, with the batman logo or some other logo on it, and sell it, is that legal?
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No, it isn't. Not that that prevents people from doing it... – Thedaian 13 years ago
2 Answers
You would need to contact the copyright holders, and arrange for a licensing agreement to use their intellectual property. Likely, it would be in the form of a royalty paid to the content owner.
If you start selling unlicensed merchandise, you are risking not only civil actions, but criminal charges as well. You are essentially 'bootlegging' branded merchandise.
Disclaimer: This information does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship
Dana: Copied your disclaimer, hope you don't mind.
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I don't think you need to worry about the disclaimer if you are not a lawyer... – Alain Raynaud 13 years ago
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Thanks Alain, I wasn't sure, though I wanted to express to the person asking the question that I wasn't a lawyer I suppose. – Bwasson 13 years ago
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Shouldn't you have contacted Dana to arrange a licensing agreement before copying his disclaimer? :) – Kevin 13 years ago
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Actually I think since it was published in a public forum, and I credited the IP holder, it falls under fair use. :D – Bwasson 13 years ago
You may do so legally only if you have an appropriate license from the owner of the image.
Disclaimer: This information does not constitute legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
