Copyright Laws

[Sam172]

If I were to make a "Cat in the Hat" T-Shirt, with the Dr Seuss characters and all.....just for my own use. Would I be in breach of copyright laws. Even if it wasn't used to sell and was one of a kind. I'm under the impression that I will be, however I've talked to a few people who seem slightly shakey on it being illegal.

[New Forester]

I'm sure it would be a breach of copyright. However, they'd have to catch you at it -- and even if they did, would they bother to prosecute if you weren't doing it commercially?

[Kev_UK]

I remember back in the late 80's a guy that was a CB'er had the cb radio handle of "England's Glory" and had a t-shirt printed with a box of matches on it (Bryant & May owned the England's Glory copyright), he was told that provided the ship on the matchbox printed on his t-shirt was back to front, it was not an exact copy so therefore not illegal.

[Hippy]

A certain north of England genuine businessman, running a tour company and a cyber squatting business decided to put some pictures of Mickey Mouse on his Website to help sell his trips to Disneyland or some such. The mighty Disney came down on him like a ton of bricks and without delay started the most expensive and ruinous legal action for breach of copyright. The said businessman liquidated his company immediately and divested himself of the proceeds in favour of some compliant relatives. A lot of trouble and heartache for pinching a couple of web images.

Certain companies can be most aggressive in protecting their copyright. Even changing the image slightly (say giving Mickey four fingers and altering the colours somewhat) could still attract the lawyers as they could maintain that the new image was an attempt to fool the public into thinking it was the real thing, and so "passing off" as the copyright item.

It seems to me that as the nice folk in Big Business have invested so many of their shiny pennies in their product and promotional material (in the case of Mickey, HE is the product) they are prepared to line their lawyer's pockets with your money in protecting their right to use their material as exclusively as they wish.

[archer9k]

as long as you dont sell the t-shirt you're fine! You can make whatever the heck you want! but the moment you try to sell it for profit.. it's illegal. Otherwise.. go for it! I like Dr.Suess.. make me one too.. ill pay you 20 dollars.. LOL :)

[jenstar]

Definitely illegal, but they're unlikely to go after you if it's a one-off.

[Kev_UK]

If it is a one-off and anyone asks, tell them you picked the t-shirt up at a car boot sale

[Sam172]

Thanks for your answers :) I think i'll stick to pro-greenpeace adverts on t-shirts :D

[blakerica]

the copyright laws have no effect untill you make money on their idea. even if you gave them away.