With all the DISNEY graphics out there.Copyright infringment?

Copyright infringment?

[joel2280]

Can anyone clearly define what we can do, and cannot do?

I see everything from Disney clips from movie's with people's domains stamped on them, to all kinds of tinker bells that people are making money off of......where do the corprate big boys draw the line?

Just think of myspace and all the graphics people get off of corporate websites, and put a little twist on them then they post them.

so whats acceptable and whats not?
What can we clearly do and what can we clearly not do?

Thanks,
Jacob

P.S. I think this post will help allot of people, because I don't think most people know whats right and wrong in this area?

[Leosghost]

Dont mess with the mouse ..period.

they may take a while to find you ..when they do their legal people will ruin your life and that of your descendants ..

[Syzygy]

I'll echo the sentiments of Leosghost - don't get on the wrong side of the mouse...

The best rule to apply is: if it belongs to someone else and doesn't say "use me for free", don't touch it. There's every likelihood you'll get found out and find the threat of legal action over your head.

Syzygy

[maxandruben]

There is the parody law. That is, if you make it known that you are not related in any way to Herr Disney and his satanic cult of minons, then you can do whatever you want.

The lawyers' first claim is that you are misrepresenting their property as that of your own creation and making money from it. The weak who know that claim is bogus will cave in and the Disney monkeys know it. Fight back and make them look ridiculous while doing it, they get very soft and defensive very quickly -- especially if you deal with children.

There was a incident years ago where a pre-school near both Universal Studios (FLORIDA) and DISNEY WORLD had painted DISNEY characters on their walls. DISNEY FLYING MONKEYS swarmed on the pre-school owners and threatened them with closure and complete legal bankruptcy for daring to entertian children with Mickey Mouse. -- The UNIVERSAL STUDIOS hear about this, sent their painters to adorn the pre-school walls with HANNA-BARBERA characters FOR FREE and made it a HUGE media event, complete with photo ops of costumed characters playing with the children. DISNEY was made to look bad and went to work right away trying to kiss up to the pre-school.

I am also a Disney attack survivor that sent them packing too. I am a caricature artist who was always requested to draw girls as little mermaids. A DISNEY MONKEY LAWYER saw my work at the BUENA VISTA MALL and threatened me like an immigration officer. I stood up to him, towered over him, and sent him running in fear.

A Balloon Artist friend of mine volunteered his time to entertain children with cancer at the local hospital. One of his specialities was making balloons looking like Tinker Bell and Mickey Mouse. A Disney lawyer who attended the hospital for his yearly head up his assendectomy saw the balloon creations, investigated my friend's business and threatened to "ruin his life" if he contnued making tinker bell balloons for for sick children. Word got out. He still makes themnow with the Rat #*$!'s blessings.

HOWEVER, if you use on a product you are selling, their icon that is a direct copy or reproduction to the letter of one of their properties, they have all the evidence to prove to a judge that you are misrepresenting your product as DISNEY-made. That's where you get your butt handed to you.

BUT, if you're using a Tinkerbell on your MYSPACE because you just like the character and you have no ulterior motive to make a profit from it, then don't worry -- and laugh at the Disney monkey who beats his chest and makes suing noises. He's full of hot air and he knows it.

[tbear]

Be wary of advice that does not come from a lawyer.
If you did not create it, it is not yours to use freely.
You may get away with it, or you may not. Any copyright owner must follow up infringements for the owner to be seen to be protecting his rights, otherwise they are likely to be passed by in a court action.
Good advice is to ask permission, rather than stick your nose up at the 'monkeys'. It is much better to tell the monkeys that you have permission, don't you think.
Don't let what others do influence your legal decision, the others may end up in court at a later date. Get 'good' advice from a lawyer, it's cheaper than playing god with highly paid corporate lawyers, LOL.

[Leosghost]

As someone who has once worked freelance for the mouse in florida ( about 30 years ago ) ..and has since seen their legal people in action in two continents ..I'd take my advice and experience over yours ..and your "anecdotes" dont seem to have anything to do with use as "parody" ..however presumably you will pay any legal expenses of any owners of myspace contravening pages or other actions deemed to be "infringing" out of your pocket ;-))

Seen my share of "busted by the mouse" tee shirt artists too ..

But then you are obviously a copyright lawyer that does mermaid caricatures for charity on weekends ..( strangely enough I do know a lawyer who does artwork at weekends ..she drives a hearse though ..and doesnt live in florida ..) and she doesnt do Disney ..she knows better ;-)

BTW most cartoon characters ( including everything that ever came out of mousetown ( to use the polite name for the "vitz" ) are also trademarked right down to the oofle dust and the sequined shoes and the wet part on goofy's nose ..so using them gets you a double rap ..and the law doesnt care if you were trying to turn a buck ..or decorating your myspace profile ..like Syzygy says it you didnt do it and it doesn't say you can ..then dont use what isn't yours ..

the point of veiw of a working creative artist

[edited by: Leosghost at 11:24 pm (utc) on Dec. 14, 2006]

[Essex_boy]

Dont mess with the mouse ..period. - Thats good asvice

[ahmedtheking]

Have a read o this: [writ.news.findlaw.com...]