Question regarding the use of someones face on a product.

[mj2000uk]

Hi Hope you can help me. My question is simple. I want to use someones face on a product, in fact, more specifically, I want to print Steven Gerrard's face onto a china cup. Now then, at what point do I need permission to do this? I am open to suggestions here because if I reproduce Steven's face without his permission then am I breaking a copyright law? My alternative is to use a characterture of Steven without referring to who it is on the cup (as people will know who it is by looking and recognising him). In this case, am I free of any potential copyright and trademark trouble? Thanks in advance!!! Mike

[Ethel]

Oddly enough it is not Steven Gerrard's permission you need - it is the owner of the copyright of the photograph you want to use.

No problems with you doing a caricature, or even a portrait of him and using that.

However, if you intend only doing one cup for your own use and not for profit or other commercial gain, I don't think there will be a problem at all.

[kempie]

Sports Image Rights has become a specialised and highly lucrative area within the Law 'industry' worldwide.

Sportstars now surround themselves with law practitioners and agents who ferociously defend against the unauthorised use of their client's image. It is not just a matter of Copyright, they also cite regulations pertaining to:

Registered trademarks
Passing off
Defamation
Data protection
Trade Descriptions Act 1968
Human Rights Act 1998
European Convention on Human Rights
Licences
Contractual provisions supporting image rights licences
Assignment of image rights to companies

Also don't forget the ruckus caused by The Number when they caricatured David Bedford for the 118 runners advertising their directory enquiries service.