tshirt biz?

[geenadavis]

i have been toying with the idea of starting a tshirt business for a while now (just as a side gig right now; maybe like an ebay store or something...) and the other day a link popped up on facebook that piqued my interest. I clicked on and wound up spending hours creating my own t-shirts! And I actually bought one of my own designs. ....lol.

Here are my questions::

I have now created about 10 or 15 different designs (some more expensive to buy than others)-- they are motivational in nature and I'm wondering if there are copyright laws I need to be aware of before i would start selling them? And also, if I want to use actual quotes by people, do I need some kind of authorization to do so? Some are as simple as "Change your mind" and "Anything is possible" but others like, "love your body already" or "follow your bliss" I'm less sure about. Anyone have any experience here?

Thanks!!
 
karen

[Michael Neill]

Hey, Karen -

Nice to see you back on the forums!

I'm not actually sure about the copyright issue - I'm sure there is one, and I know that some people will police their copyright a lot more vigorously than others.

My two rules of thumb if I'm quoting people in books or tips:

1. If I can (i.e. if they're alive!) I will seek permission directly

2. Always attribute as accurately as you can and spell their name right! 

Can you post any of your designs here on the forums?

love,
michael

[geenadavis]

thanks, michael!

I'm not sure if you will be able to see the design through this link...... let me know, and if you can, I'll post a couple more 

http://www.customink.com/designs/leavplanet/11577139-2432123/retrieve

(and what about those quotes from people who are no longer alive?? (not that i have any of those yet, but just in case...)  ....just go for it?!)

karen

[Jay Budzynski]

Hi Karen

You might want to check http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htm to get the lowdown etc.

J

[Tomwalked]

are you in UK or USA or elsewhere?

[geenadavis]

i'm in nyc

[Tomwalked]

.





depending on your own sense of integrity... ethics etc...
and given that "law" is generally an "interpretive" dance....


In the Visual Arts...
famed artist Jeff Coons did a tremendous amount of legal exploration (By pushing the boundaries) of the copyright laws...
I am a visual artist and this subject is of tremendous interest to me...
there is an understanding that:
1.) by changing something 10% you can use the basic idea. (painting the "Mona Lisa" with sunglasses)
2.) by using the image in parody you can use the image, logo, etc.(putting a big red clown nose on the "Mona Lisa")
3.) by changing the medium (ie. interpreting the "Mona Lisa" in clay)
- there is more, but these are the basics... and these don't necessarily apply to the written word.

I'm not as clear with the written word...
- how many words in a row can one copyright? (how few?)
- can I copyright the letter "e" ? (man... could I make some money on that!!!)


SO...
again... this is ethical interpersonal decision.
some advice could be...
do it...
maybe as a limited run...
and if someone tells you to stop then stop.


crediting with name is not only legally good, but also feels more ethical.
getting permission in advance is also great advice.


I understand that most likely...
if someone feels "infringed" upon by you... they will most likely contact you by letter (cease and desist) through a lawyer.
(this costs them)
They may pursue financial damages - but will likely only be awarded pursuant (and therefore percentage) to how much you made.
(this costs them much more money)


so...



hope that was helpful



.

[geenadavis]

thanks tom! I've decided it's not quite the right time for me to charge forth with the idea, but I'll post back if/when I decide to go for it!