Discussion:
California
Ok, so one morning I wake up and get this brilliant idea for a t-shirt slogan. A couple of weeks later I make up a couple hundred t-shirts and start selling them all over the place.
It's my own creation, sort of a play on an old phrase that people always say and I'm very happy with the sales my t-shirts are generating.
Until...
Evidentally someone in Hollywood see's one of my shirts and isn't very happy that I "stold the words right out of her mouth and am now making money from doing so".
Honestly, I can't keep track of who says what but I research the old phrase and find out that alot of people have already twisted the words around (I guess I wasn't as brilliant as I thought) and have claimed the new phrase as their own too including this actress and an author who used it as a title for her book.
Long story longer...
I'm getting threatened to pull the shirt or I'll lose my shirt in court.
Should I be worried?
Is this copyright infringement?
What words CAN'T I put on a shirt?
If someone famous says something don't I have the right to put it on a t-shirt the next day?
Thank you.
Answer:
My response:
Then "Alpha Beta" supermarket is going to sue you also for using their "Tell A Friend" slogan as your forum name. But, they can't because "Tell A Friend" is considered to be a "slogan." Slogans and titles of books, movies, etc. are specifically exempted from trademark and copyright ownership.
Look, unless it's a trademark or service mark of that "actress", and it's a "slogan", then she's got nothing. Ask to see her ownership papers.
IAAL
Answer:
to say something WORTH putting on a t-shirt.