Discussion:
Can I use a company's logo in a tshirt design that I intend to market? For example; Let's say a shirt design includes a Chevy car. I assume I can create the car without any problems as I have seen it done many times. However can I display the Chevy bowtie logo in the design? Maybe the shirt includes a graphic of a Camaro, and the text Chevy Camaro, and then the Chevy bowtie at the bottom. Is this an infringement?
I often see these stickers on car window, (usually a good ole boy's pickup), that have a car manufacturers logo, with an honery looking kid "relieving" himself on that logo. How do they get by with using that logo in that way? I can't imagine the respective company would approve of their logo being used in that way.
Any help is sincerely appreciated.
Answer:
I have done some reading through the forum here and think I have somewhat of an answer. It would appear as though I can't use the logo. However if the logo is pictured on the race car, would it then be legal for me to recreate that look. The graphic work is being done digitally with Adobe products, and would not be a direct copy of the car. Thanks for any opinions you are will to share.
Answer:
I often see these stickers on car window, (usually a good ole boy's pickup), that have a car manufacturers logo, with an honery looking kid "relieving" himself on that logo. The person that originated the stickers was successfully sued by GM, Ford, Dodge, and Bill Watterson, the originator of Calvin and Hobbs. Using logos as you want to does not constitute fair use, you will require permission from the owners. All car companies have departments that handle such requests, usually through their legal departments.
Answer:
Thanks for your reply. So let's say in the case of making a design with Dale Jr's car.... that would require permission from Budweiser as well as the owners of his car?
Answer:
Thanks for your reply. So let's say in the case of making a design with Dale Jr's car.... that would require permission from Budweiser as well as the owners of his car? Sure does. I have a business that imports NASCAR collectibles. Besides Budweiser, Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt Inc., you need permission from all the associate and contingency sponsors too. I think I have over 40 agreements just for Jr's stuff.
Answer:
Wow. Are these licenses difficult to get. I would guess they want to see a sample of the product (or at least a drawing or something)? Then I assume they want fees. How much could I expect say ... DEI to charge me for a t-shirt design license? I do alot of Nascar stuff too, but things that are already licensed. What I want to do now is related to the remote control racing industry. The companies are much smaller, and the distribution would be alot smaller for these products. Of course the projected sales volume of my product would influence the value of such a license would have to my project. Are we talking major dollars? Thanks alot for your help.