Just curious, in order to create a shirt with a quote from a famous movie, or tv show or in todays buzz. What are the guidelines with this, I was just looking at the Busted Tees Site, they created a shirt with quote from the **** in a box skit on SNL. What are the steps to have this ability?
As I understand it, a direct, word for word quote is indeed an infringment of intellectual property. I believe thats why there are so many mis-quotes used i.e. "Make my day"
I did find some good info in this thread. However, I'm not sure anyone answered the question. Is it okay to use a one liner from a current movie or song?
I did find some good info in this thread. However, I'm not sure anyone answered the question. Is it okay to use a one liner from a current movie or song?
So what your all saying here is that if it is in a movie that it's not OK? who is to say that line hasn't been being said for 20 years before that movie?
another way and this may be too simple.
If I wanted to make a shirt that said something that I saw in a movie but was also said in every day life, what is the guidelines? now because they said it in a movie it isn't OK?
Like in the movie Good fellas, they would always say "Don't worry about it" but I also hear that same line daily and they are not mocking the movie, they really mean not to worry about something.
I could see if you made a point to specify on the shirt where the quote came from with say a Design of the movie logo and then the quote, thats one thing but to use a phrase, thats kind of area where I don't know how much water they would hold if they tried to sue you.
You're hitting upon why using quotes on shirts, etc. is incredibly complex.
On the one hand, you can't copyright a short phrase, and you can (theoretically!) go ahead and use it. On the other hand, you can copyright larger works, and copyright law makes it illegal to reproduce without permission in whole or in part.
So if you use something that is of recognisable importance to the larger work, it could (not necessarily would) be copyright infringement.
The thing is, if you are taking a quote from a movie and sticking it on a shirt you are almost certainly infringing, because your entire intention is to take a portion of the larger work and profit from it. Without the allusion to the other work the line is worthless, and you're relying on people to recognise it (/mistake it) for the other and buy your product.
But essentially... one of the more complicated areas of a complicated set of laws. Consult a lawyer if relevant to your business endeavours.
So what your all saying here is that if it is in a movie that it's not OK? who is to say that line hasn't been being said for 20 years before that movie?
another way and this may be too simple.
If I wanted to make a shirt that said something that I saw in a movie but was also said in every day life, what is the guidelines? now because they said it in a movie it isn't OK?
Like in the movie Good fellas, they would always say "Don't worry about it" but I also hear that same line daily and they are not mocking the movie, they really mean not to worry about something.
I could see if you made a point to specify on the shirt where the quote came from with say a Design of the movie logo and then the quote, thats one thing but to use a phrase, thats kind of area where I don't know how much water they would hold if they tried to sue you.
but don't "Quote me" I could be wrong
For the details on why and how, you'd probably want to talk to a lawyer.
I'm not one, but one thing you may want to think about is "intent".
If you are getting sued and your website is marketed as a site with "great movie quotes on t-shirts" and your categories are "movie quotes" "tv show quotes" "the office quotes" "napolean dynomite quotes", etc, then you probably won't get away with the argument that they are just quotes from everyday life.
But if your website is filled with all sorts of t-shirt randomness and you happen to have a quote that is from everyday life and is also from a movie, then it may look like your intent wasn't to copy the movie.
Copyrights on using famous quotes 
Re: Copyrights on using famous quotes 
