Copyrighting T-Shirt Designs: Understanding the Basics

1
Copyrighting T-Shirt Designs Understanding the
Basics
2
(No Transcript)
3

• Creating unique and engaging t-shirt designs is
  an art, and the copyright law respects this
  creativity by granting legal protection. The
  essence of copyright law is to protect original
  works of art, including the artwork imprinted on
  t-shirts.
• In recent years, the number of copyright cases
  related to design has surged. Stanford Law School
  study reported over 5,000 US copyright
  infringement complaints in 2020. This highlights
  the growing importance of understanding and
  complying with copyright law.

4
Avoiding Copyright Infringement

• T-Shirt Designs Copyright
• Unique t-shirt designs are protected under
  copyright law. Copyright infringement can result
  in severe penalties, making it critical for
  anyone in the t-shirt design industry to
  understand copyright laws basics.

5
Printings Quotes

• The issue of using quotes on t-shirts becomes
  complex when it comes to copyright law.
• If a quote comes from a copyrighted source, using
  it to sell t-shirts without the copyright
  holders consent may be considered an
  infringement. This includes movie quotes, which
  often fall under copyright protection.

6

• Printing Companies logo
• Using someone elses logo for commercial
  purposes, such as selling t-shirts, typically
  qualifies as copyright infringement and can lead
  to legal repercussions.

7

• Printing Images
• You are good to go if the design or image is your
  original creation or part of the public domain
  (not protected by copyright). However, if the
  design or image falls under someone elses
  copyright, you need their permission to use it.
  Always respect others intellectual property
  rights while creating your t-shirt designs.

8
How to prevent t-shirt copyright infringement?

• The initial step in copyrighting your T-shirt
  designs is to ensure you are not infringing on
  anyone elses copyright.
• While there is nothing wrong with drawing
  inspiration from others, you cannot directly use
  copyrighted elements and artworks without the
  owners permission, as doing so can rapidly land
  you in hot water. Here you should use only use
  with the owners permission to avoid copyright
  violations

9

• You cannot use logos of a brand, a game, a book,
  a sports club, a school, a college, or an
  organisation in your t-shirt designs. This
  includes artwork in a book, movie, or comic book.
• Note that you cannot sell derivative works
  created from characters protected by copyright.
  That means you cannot make your own Mickey Mouse
  design and sell it on a T-shirt for profit.
  Additionally, derivative compositions are
  considered copyright violations.

10

• You can violate someones copyright by
  incorporating popular memes into your T-shirt
  designs. If you post the meme for fun on your
  social media profile, there is little cause for
  concern. Using a meme for commercial purposes,
  such as devising a new T-shirt and selling it for
  profit, is where the issue lies. When and if this
  attracts the copyright owners attention to the
  original meme image or video, they could send a
  cease and desist letter or sue for damages.
• The internet may be filled with images, but you
  can still use images you come across.
• Other trademarked content, including logos, brand
  names, colours, and phrases, is prohibited.

11
Why should you protect your T-shirt design?

• If you do not have a copyright for your T-shirt
  designs, anyone can duplicate them, pass them
  off, and profit from them. When you copyright
  your t-shirt designs, however, you can file a
  lawsuit against the unauthorised use of your
  designs and have the fake product listings
  removed without influencing the reputation or
  revenue of your brand.
• Set your products apart With your designs
  protected by copyright, no one else can replicate
  them, allowing you to differentiate your t-shirts
  from your competitors. Customers will uniquely
  associate your t-shirt with your company,
  enhancing brand recognition and awareness.

12

• Without copyright protection, others can profit
  from your brands popularity by passing off your
  products as their own. Copyright protects your
  interests and ensures you can take swift legal
  action if someone attempts to replicate your
  designs.

13
Parody T-Shirts

• Parody designs can be a grey area in copyright
  law. While some parodies might be considered
  fair use, others might infringe on the original
  creators copyright, especially if they closely
  mimic the original work or negatively impact its
  market. Consulting with a legal expert can be
  beneficial if you plan to create parody t-shirts.