Hi, Unregistered. | Today's Posts

T-Shirt Forums
User Name
Password

Need to Register?

Forgot Your Password?


Site Navigation




+   T-Shirt Forums > T-Shirt Buying > Need Help Finding a T-Shirt DESIGN
If you have seen a t-shirt design somewhere or used to have a favorite t-shirt and don't know where to buy it again, post here and see if one of our fellow members can help you locate it. This is for searches for a single t-shirt to buy retail, use the wholesale t-shirts forum for help sourcing a particular brand or style.

T shirt design question



 
Share This Thread Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 5:12:30 PM -   #1 (permalink)
Forum Member
T-Shirt Member

SoleFly's Avatar
 
You can call me: Jay
Member Since: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post


Default T shirt design question

I was thinking of making my own big letter on a tee design?
would this be a copyright infringment of the label
sneakertips? bcuz they orginally made the big letter tee i got 99 problems but my kicks aint one?

my shirt isnt that line but its the same concept, does it matter?
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 7:34:51 PM -   #2 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Girlzndollz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: Kelly
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,936
Thanks: 2,546
Thanked 1,534 Times in 1,087 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Hi Jay,

A letter of the alphabet, in and of itself, is not copyrightable. The following information comes from the copyright.gov site.

Follow up on this information with a copyright lawyer, to find out more specifically if there is an issue with it or not. This information I am providing is more like a jump off point. I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know how people apply this in real life situations. Possibly, as an "artwork" piece, that other letter is being used as an artistic design, and is copyrighted in that sense.

You can ask a copyright lawyer if it is okay to use a different font, or what have you. Best to seek answers from those who know, and those who know would be the trained professionals we have to pay = lawyers.

I'm sorry not to have a better answer than that, but that is probably the best answer I can give you, as since I don't know for sure, anything people here tell you could get you into a spot of trouble. It is better to ask a lawyer who does this stuff everyday.

Best wishes to you, here is the info from the copyright.gov site:

Quote:
Originally Posted by www.copyright.gov
What Is Not Protected by Copyright?

Several categories of material are generally not eligible for federal copyright protection. These include among others:
  • Works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression (for example, choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded, or improvisational speeches or performances that have not been written or recorded)
  • Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring; mere listings of ingredients or contents
  • Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration
  • Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and containing no original authorship (for example: standard calendars, height and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, and lists or tables taken from public documents or other common sources)
Copyright Office Basics
__________________
Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 7:49:28 PM -   #3 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

sunnydayz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: BobbieLee
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,896
Thanks: 887
Thanked 1,115 Times in 801 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Quote:
Originally Posted by SoleFly
I was thinking of making my own big letter on a tee design?
would this be a copyright infringment of the label
sneakertips? bcuz they orginally made the big letter tee i got 99 problems but my kicks aint one?

my shirt isnt that line but its the same concept, does it matter?
Even though it is a quote, it might still be protected. your best bet is to search the copyright site to see if its protected. If you are just talking about making a shirt with a saying of your own, with big letters that would be fine. The design you refer to, I am sure it is protected by Sneakertips. Always check though if you doubt whether something is protected.

Just like alot of people print shirts with the I Heart NY design, changing the NY part. That design is copyrighted and can get you sued even though you changed the NY part. If I am understanding, that is what you are wanting to do. I have seen this saying with the Kicks part changed to some other word, but I would still think it could get you into trouble. Hope this helps, although I am not an attorney, so my opinion is only that haha
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain
BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 7:59:21 PM -   #4 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Girlzndollz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: Kelly
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,936
Thanks: 2,546
Thanked 1,534 Times in 1,087 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Is it a quote, or a single "big letter"?

I was thinking it was a single, individual big size letter going on a shirt from the post?? Letters of the alphabet can't be copyrighted, but, if it has some artistic design quality, who knows... trust us, SoleFly, you want to ask an attorney... because they'll know... and....

... if you talk to lawyer when you want to do something that you think might be illegal or have a legal question, they will be the ones that can help you the best and even then, you could still get sued. But at least then, if you get sued and they said it was probably "ok", then at least you have someone that can go to court for you.
__________________
Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 8:08:01 PM -   #5 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

sunnydayz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: BobbieLee
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,896
Thanks: 887
Thanked 1,115 Times in 801 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Its a t-shirt that was inspired by Jay Z, at least the original design was. I am pretty sure this is what he was talking about. Here is a link to the shirt he is quoting above **Sneaktip,*I*Got*99*Problems*T-Shirt.... But yes, if you are planning to just change the word kicks to something else, as others have done with this design, you could get your self into trouble. If you are just wanting to make your own whole orignal entire saying, but just in the same big letter style you should be fine, because it would not be similar. The more it looks like someone elses design, the more likely you will get a cease and desist .
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain
BobbieLee www.brightlittlebeginnings.com
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 11th, 2009 Feb 11, 2009 8:23:11 PM -   #6 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Girlzndollz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: Kelly
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,936
Thanks: 2,546
Thanked 1,534 Times in 1,087 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Jay, if you are planning on using that design pf Jay Z's and changing a word, you could land yourself in some trouble... but if you are just trying to use 'big letters' on a shirt... no one has any rights to that. Other people use big letters on shirts.... see Johnny Cupcakes...

Johnny Cupcakes

Is this what you are asking about, Jay? Please let us know more about what you are wondering, because one direction isn't good (using Jay Z's design elements) and the other isn't a problem (using big letters) ... ??
__________________
Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 12th, 2009 Feb 12, 2009 3:33:21 PM -   #7 (permalink)
Forum Member
T-Shirt Member
Thread Starter

SoleFly's Avatar
 
You can call me: Jay
Member Since: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post


Default Re: T shirt design question

What i had in mind was a quote from a artist but im changing like maybe 2 words in the quote, would that get me in some trouble?

btw tnx for all the feedback so far i appreciate it
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 12th, 2009 Feb 12, 2009 3:41:43 PM -   #8 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Girlzndollz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: Kelly
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,936
Thanks: 2,546
Thanked 1,534 Times in 1,087 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Yeah, Jay, you can't take someone else's work, and change a word or two. Folks get in trouble for that. If it is recognizable in anyway to the original, it's too close to the original, and you are in danger of getting in trouble.

Original work, or paid for to receive the license for something, is the way to go. Good luck to you.
__________________
Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 14th, 2009 Feb 14, 2009 9:57:58 PM -   #9 (permalink)
Forum Member
T-Shirt Member
Thread Starter

SoleFly's Avatar
 
You can call me: Jay
Member Since: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post


Default Re: T shirt design question

Girlzndollz how would i be able to pay to recieve this work that im looking to use?
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!
Old February 15th, 2009 Feb 15, 2009 12:30:55 PM -   #10 (permalink)
Moderator
Certified T-Shirt Junkie

Girlzndollz's Avatar  - this member was voted Most Helpful Member during our Annual August Member Appreciation Month
 
You can call me: Kelly
Member Since: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,936
Thanks: 2,546
Thanked 1,534 Times in 1,087 Posts


Default Re: T shirt design question

Quote:
Originally Posted by SoleFly
Girlzndollz how would i be able to pay to recieve this work that im looking to use?

As far as I have learned, you need to contact the copyright holder... and get permission from the holder.
__________________
Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.us Tweet about this Post!


This is a discussion about T shirt design question that was posted in the Need Help Finding a T-Shirt DESIGN section of the forums.

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question about shirt design with plastisol transfers dmagic12000 Plastisol Transfers 5 January 24th, 2009 08:54 AM
General T-Shirt question on shop design and sales. New_Money SpreadShirt 1 March 12th, 2008 12:04 PM
CorelDraw T-Shirt Design Software Question dbterry Graphics and Design Help 1 April 23rd, 2007 09:59 PM
Illustrator Shirt Design Question tinfoilheart Graphics and Design Help 5 March 19th, 2007 07:06 PM
another newbie question: what method to use if a design covers the front of a shirt? SaWEAR General T-Shirt Selling Discussion 1 February 13th, 2007 02:33 AM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:41 AM.


Copyright 2004-2009 T-ShirtForums.com. All rights reserved.