T-Shirt Forums banner
Cancel

if we want famous people on our t-shirts do we have to pay the famous person?

3258 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  ohio614, 
O
Ok if we want like famous people on our shirts do we have to pay the famous person?
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
R
quick answer, yes
Reply
Save
Like
O
ight good looking
Reply
Save
Like
IYFGraphics
Doesn't matter if their good looking or not;), famous people (non-political, different circumstances) have what is called "Right To Publicity" you would need to license/obtain rights to profit from their likeness used in any way including printing on t-shirts....even if they are dead someone in their estate owns the rights to their likeness.

It's a much deeper subject but that's the basic answer.

Hope this helps.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Serge867
IYFGraphics said:
Doesn't matter if their good looking or not;), famous people (non-political, different circumstances) have what is called "Right To Publicity" you would need to license/obtain rights to profit from their likeness used in any way including printing on t-shirts....even if they are dead someone in their estate owns the rights to their likeness.

It's a much deeper subject but that's the basic answer.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
The same is true for non-famous people as well. You would need a signed release to be able to sell anyone’s image. Politicians are the only fair game in this case.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
IYFGraphics
Serge867 said:
The same is true for non-famous people as well. You would need a signed release to be able to sell anyone’s image. Politicians are the only fair game in this case.
Click to expand...
Not really, politicians mostly choose not to sue you because it would show them in a bad light as far as the public perception of them (they want your vote), they too enjoy the same right to publicity as anyone else.

Hope this helps
Reply
Save
Like
Serge867
IYFGraphics said:
Not really, politicians mostly choose not to sue you because it would show them in a bad light as far as the public perception of them (they want your vote), they too enjoy the same right to publicity as anyone else.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under impression that politicians images are in public domain, hence can be used in t-shirt business without any implications...
Reply
Save
Like
Rodney
Serge867 said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under impression that politicians images are in public domain, hence can be used in t-shirt business without any implications...
Click to expand...


From what I've read, I think that's correct. Don't quote me on it though :)
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Twanabee
My understanding is that you loose your right to privicy when you become famous. All these photos in mags of pols. and movie stars are fair game. It's the story that goes with the photos that gets you in trouble. Beware of your words.
Reply
Save
Like
kimura-mma
Twanabee said:
My understanding is that you loose your right to privicy when you become famous. All these photos in mags of pols. and movie stars are fair game. It's the story that goes with the photos that gets you in trouble. Beware of your words.
Click to expand...
Right to Privacy and Right of Publicity are different and are governed under separate laws. Usage for communication purposes, such as newspapers and magazines, are fair game under privacy laws. Usage for clothing purposes, such as on t-shirts, are illegal under publicity laws. You need license or permission to use someone's name and likeness on a t-shirt, otherwise it's infringement and you can be sued.
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
kimura-mma
Jon is correct regarding politicians. There is no law that states an elected official's right of publicity is waived when they take office. They choose to waive it in most cases, but no legal rights are actually taken from them automatically.

As for public domain images, I believe that only the copyright of the images are royalty free. The content of the image can still be protected. For instance, I can't just take a pic of Derek Jeter, release it to the public domain and think I can just make Derek Jeter shirts without being sued by Major League Baseball Properties.

The same would be true for politicians. This is why Shepard Fairey got sued by the AP, because they owned the copyright of the image. So as far as I know, images of politicians are not automatically public domain.

And back to the original topic, if you use a famous person's image on a t-shirt, not only do you have to pay the famous person but you also have to pay the copyright owner of the image.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
IYFGraphics
Serge867 said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under impression that politicians images are in public domain, hence can be used in t-shirt business without any implications...
Click to expand...
Nope...every photo, drawing, illustration is owned by someone who created it regardless of the subject, but it's what you choose to do with it that will get you in trouble (maybe).

This thread from a week or so ago has a lot of good info in it that might help.

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/general-t-shirt-selling-discussion/t121005.html

Hope this helps
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
O
thanks yall really helped me frm takin my line to a road of lawsuits lol
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
T-Shirt Forums
A forum community dedicated to T-shirt merchants, professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about graphics, commerce, dyes, prints, collections, guides, displays, styles, scales, equipment, accessories, reviews, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Screen Printing General T-Shirt Selling Discussion Graphics and Design Help Member Introductions Heat Press and Heat Transfers
Top