This section of the forum is for discussing the business and finance issues of the t-shirt industry. Which business structure to use (sole proprietor, LLC, S Corp, etc), how to handle billing, where to register your business and get the proper licensing, etc.
in the hip hop arena.. on the underground level.. many times kids use samples and since they are not selling over 10,000 units or making a lot of noise.. they get away with sampling classic material (michael jackson, beatles, whatever) and remaking beats and putting music out..
no sample clearance.. NADA
MF DOOm for one.. used the Doctor Doom image of marvel comics and release VOLUMES of CDS with that image on it.. Mavel Comics.. finally caught it and simply sent a cease letter..like stop using the image or ur gonna be sued..
the thing is.. the remaining CDs that were still on shelves were being sold anyways..and the income comes back.. still!
i think it may be the case.. it's all about putting the idea out and i think since it's not so so huge.. castles and crooks is getting bigger though..but since it's so small like like millions of sales.. i think it's kinda like the hip hop thing.. they beast on the idea and get it out .. all over until someone's like STOP!
if nobody says.. stop..they are gonna keep going
i may not be 100% correct but i know for sure..in the hip hop world.. on the underground level.. it works like that
How does Crooks & Castles get away with taking other peoples logo's (Chanel, Versace etc ....) changing them alittle, and then printing them?
Do they actual license everything?
Thnx in advnc
It's hard to know without knowing the insides of their business dealings.
But it if they don't have permission, it usually boils down to:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solmu
The usual story:
Some do whatever they want and wait for the cease and desist letter (and hope the company doesn't skip over it)
Some can afford lawyers to defend on the basis of parody, etc.
Some are in the process of getting sued and losing
Some are in the process of getting sued and winning
Some are just lucky and not getting caught
Some are just lucky and not getting caught... yet
Some will plan to settle out of court
Some are ignorant of the law and don't realise the world of hurt that is coming
Some are carefully staying on the right side of the legal divide
Some are carefully staying on the right side of the legal divide, but will be sued anyway, and unable to afford an adequate legal defense even though what they were doing was theoretically legal.
In other words, some are getting away with it, some aren't.
totally random question for Unik Ink, Rodney or whoever has insight:
judging from the first image Unik Ink posted..
what size do u think that screen is???????
i know this one printer can print 11 X 17 but i am curious.. do u think that's a 11 X 17 screen for the below image..
I used to own a clothing company and our most popular shirt was a rip off of the Jack Daniels logo. I'm sure everyone has seen a rip off of their logo out there somewhere.
I printed the shirts for a couple of years and mostly gave them away to friends. I also had a website with my products on display. I went out of business a while back, but left my website up with pictures of the JD logo tee on there. After a while, a girl emailed (and then called) about the shirt. She told me that her boyfriend loved Jack and wanted a tee.
I sent her one and used paypal to have her pay for the shipping. Then, a couple of days later I got a certified letter saying I was being sued on behalf of JD. They wanted to settle right away and have me pay them $4500!
Since I never sold any shirts and I'm a broke college student I told them to "go pound sand". The girl threatened with a lawsuit and wage garnishment. I told her that she was crazy. Even if they took me to court, they would pay far more in court and lawyer costs than they would ever be awarded. I told her that if they did get any judgment against me, I would file for bankruptcy (probably easier said than done).
My thought on the whole deal is that they definitely have the right to come after anyone who is making money using their copyright logo. In fact, it's their duty. Considering that I never made any money off these shirts, and they were all given away to friends and family, they had no case.
It is something that people should consider before trying to market a knock off or rip off of someone else's logo or design. Definately communicate with the owner and work something out first.....
....but sometimes even bad publicity is good publicity!
__________________ Matt http://www.WestixOnline.com - (Screen Printing Supplies - Water Based Ink, Film, Emulsion, ect.)
Useful info. SOme of my shorts are similar to popular companies. I'm hoping it's different enough to pass the "parody" exception rule. I'm considered talking to a lawyer.
Useful info. SOme of my shorts are similar to popular companies. I'm hoping it's different enough to pass the "parody" exception rule. I'm considered talking to a lawyer.
I would, especially if you can get some free advice on the subject. Colleges are a great source of free law advice. Sometimes, if you talk to some law students (preferably someone close to graduation) they might be able to help, or ask or put you in touch with their professor.
__________________ Matt http://www.WestixOnline.com - (Screen Printing Supplies - Water Based Ink, Film, Emulsion, ect.)
i heard the same thing about the copyrights, that if you keep the quantity under 10000 or something that its cool... i personally dont like parodies that much! especially when it is all a company has got
crooks have a design with the versace medusa symbol with a bandana over the face and a chanel logo made with gold chains, those are the closetest things i've seen from crooks... so even if they made over 10000 i think they'll pass because you only have to change a logo about 10% give or take to get away with it....
heaps of streetwear labels do it... like FUCT, OBEY, FRESHJIVE and more
personally its a bit of a cop out, i mean i agree they're fun to do! they mock the corporate but maybe they just want to get noticed by borrowing such recognisable logos... and getting sued for this is a great publicity stunt!!! all of a sudden your a badass mother for receiving a letter
How does Crooks & Castles get away with .... 
