I'm very new and attempting to gather information to open a t shirt business. I'm very confused about copyright law. Do you have to file the copyright on a design before submitting it to be printed on the t-shirts? Or is there an agreement to be signed by the silk-screening company before they see the design?
The work is protected from the moment it's set down in fixed form. Printers are generally ethical, and it's not worth their business to rip-off a prospective client (they make their money from printing, they don't need to pirate). That said, hypothetically if the printer was to copy your design, it would be easier to prove that and pursue legal recourse if you had registered the copyright before submitting it to them.
Thanks for the info. I've been planning for about 3 weeks total, and it's a bit overwhelming...so overwhelming I sometimes don't see things right in front of my face like the links on the left for copyright info and the forum topics at the top that cover tons of info.
Being new to this too, what I have done, (as I was concerned the same as you are) was ask my printer to sign an agreement which covers non disclosure of my ideas etc to third parties which also covered any images and text that I use for my t-shirts. My printer was happy to sign this document. May be that may hold tight until, you like I, get the copyright issue sorted.
Being new to this too, what I have done, (as I was concerned the same as you are) was ask my printer to sign an agreement which covers non disclosure of my ideas etc to third parties which also covered any images and text that I use for my t-shirts.
It's worth noting that most screen printers have this as a standard practice (not sharing your designs with others and not printing your designs without your consent). It's just good business not to steal
But if it makes you feel better having the printer sign something, there's no real harm in it (as long as you are not approaching the printer as a potential criminal).
It's worth noting that most screen printers have this as a standard practice (not sharing your designs with others and not printing your designs without your consent). It's just good business not to steal
But if it makes you feel better having the printer sign something, there's no real harm in it (as long as you are not approaching the printer as a potential criminal).
Yes it's good not to approaching the printer as a potential criminal, however during a lakers game a friend of mine took his designs on a bandana to a silk screen business for a few doz to sell on the streets ,nothing big. However the printer had boot leg his designs and had them on the streets before my friend even got his out. I grant you not all printer are dishonest, but they are out there.
copyright confusion 
Re: copyright confusion 
Re: copyright confusion 
