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:

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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 .

 

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) ... ??

 

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

 

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.

 

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.