Copyright/Trademark Infringement with Door Decor

[AAshleySEG]

Hi guys,

I have seen so many fantastic designs and things for Door Decor and such featuring all the characters that I decided to make some of my own for our upcoming Alaska cruise on the Wonder. I don't have a good color printer at home so I decided to go to my local office supply store and have them printed out. The lady at the desk informed me that no one is "supposed" to print out anything containing copyrighted/trademarked characters etc. It is a violation, and you have to fill out a form saying that you have permission from the entities to use any of their characters/fonts/etc, even for "personal" use. So basically I am trying to figure out if it is illegal to make these things and put them on our doors?? I was trying to find out something on the Disney website or someone to ask. I am just so confused about the whole thing? If I want these things printed out should I fill out the form saying that I have permission to use them for personal use? Because on the Disney website it states that you cannot manipulate any of their images, and that is what we are doing after all, adding names, and/or moving things around, I am going to give some examples of the things that I made that they wouldn't print for reference. We were going to do a Toy Story themed door and so I got a bunch of toy story characters and put them on pages to cut out and laminate (she said they couldn't even laminate them if I printed them at home), I made 2 mickey ears, had porthole ears to print out, and a sign for our anniversary. She said NONE of it could be done. So if anyone has any thoughts please let me hear them, I am at a loss now of what to do...I don't want to break any laws by making door decor and showing our love of all things Disney on our cruise

http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k584/AAshleySEG/AnniversaryMagnet.jpg
http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k584/AAshleySEG/ToyJeremy.jpg
http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k584/AAshleySEG/ToyStoryCharactersPage1.jpg
http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k584/AAshleySEG/ToyAndrea.jpg

 

[nzdisneymom]

I think if DCL had a problem with people using Disney images for magnet purposes, they would've taken magnets off doors for years.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I believe it is really against copyright laws. But, DCL isn't asking people not to do it. You're not selling them and making money so if you're ok with it then do it! There's so much homemade tee shirts and such out there and disney isn't cracking down on that. Not to mention all the stuff people are making and selling on ebay and etsy.

She was just covering her butt! Hope you can find a way to have them printed!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yes, it is illegal to print the images FOR PROFIT .

If you manipulate/print your own pictures, for your personal use, it's OK.

The lady at the print store is right, in that, even if it's for your personal use, she's making a profit by printing them for you.

 

[Brumbie13]

The woman is just trying to protect the company. For example, if Disney decides to go after you, you could turn around and say that the office store printed them, then Disney might go after the office store.

If Disney did not want us the make these, they would let us know. Disney contacted this forum and asked that the administrators pass on the word to not use tape on the doors, and the administrators did that. So before Disney started going after people for these, I'm sure they would ask the DIS to come and spread the word that they will no longer allow people to do this.

In reality, that's not going to happen. Disney benefits from its super-fans who go out of their way to do things like this, they aren't going to start attacking their biggest customers just because of some custom 1-off magnets stuck on doors.


Try going to a different store. If you go to a few stores you will probably find someone who will do it no questions asked. It could be as big of a deal as she's making it out to be, but at this point, it isn't.

 

[woodduckmn]

Sounds like you went to FedEx Office. They are very much sticklers on copyrighted items. They don't want the liability. My company has a bunch of copyrighted items and we have to give releases all the time so they can print out the items.

 

[Meghatron]

What the previous poster said about profit is true. The issue is not you printing out the images, but that someone other than Disney would profit from the printing because you took it to a store to do it. If you did it at home, for yourself, and never sold what you printed, it's "fair use". As long as no one profits from the process, Disney considers it to be free advertising for their company and their product.

 

[All American]

Do you know anyone who has a good printer that might let you print it out? That's an option.

 

[TDC Nala]

You aren't breaking any laws by making the items for private use, but the business cannot print them for you. Although you may be able to find a copy center that does not follow that guideline, many of them will.

 

[luvslikepi]

Copy centers will always give you that spiel with copyrighted images.

 

[jenf22]

I recently printed a bunch to Shutterfly and Costco with no problems at all. Maybe give them a shot?

 

[missx0xdelaney]

How about going to your local library? Ours around here all have computer workstations where you are free to use the computers and you can print in color or b&w for about 5-10 cents per page. The librarians don't check what you are printing, only that you've paid for it.

 

[disneyholic family]

kinkos has a color printer over on the side that you operate yourself (with a credit card).

is that a good enough printer for what you're trying to do.

you can do whatever you want over there. they're not watching.

 

[AAshleySEG]

Thanks everyone for your input, so then would be be inappropriate to sign the waiver? If I fill out the form waiving them of responsibility, that would be ok since I am only using them for our cruise ship doors? Say if maybe "Office Depot" we're to be auditied and Disney found out I printed those things, is it really probable that they would come after me for it? I don't think so. I really think I am worrying too much...lmao.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks everyone for your input, so then would be be inappropriate to sign the waiver? If I fill out the form waiving them of responsibility, that would be ok since I am only using them for our cruise ship doors? Say if maybe "Office Depot" we're to be auditied and Disney found out I printed those things, is it really probable that they would come after me for it? I don't think so. I really think I am worrying too much...lmao.

yes, you probably are overthinking it!
DCL is very happy that you're coming on their ship, door magnet and all!!

i've never seen anyone in WDW stopped for wearing homemade Tshirts with disney characters on them (all those special trip tshirts everyone makes).

And i assume those would be viewed as copyright infringement too.

 

[jilljill]

Thanks everyone for your input, so then would be be inappropriate to sign the waiver? If I fill out the form waiving them of responsibility, that would be ok since I am only using them for our cruise ship doors? Say if maybe "Office Depot" we're to be auditied and Disney found out I printed those things, is it really probable that they would come after me for it? I don't think so. I really think I am worrying too much...lmao.

The waiver would have to come from Disney that you sign and I don't think they will be providing you with that waiver. It's not something that you can just write up yourself and sign.
There is a form that Shutters, the on board photography studio, provides that you can print off and sign so you are able to print off or make copies of their photos. But again, the waiver is provided by then you don't just write up one yourself.

 

[generaltso23]

so then would be be inappropriate to sign the waiver? If I fill out the form waiving them of responsibility, that would be ok since I am only using them for our cruise ship doors? Say if maybe "Office Depot" we're to be auditied and Disney found out I printed those things, is it really probable that they would come after me for it? I don't think so. I really think I am worrying too much...lmao.

You can't waive that liability because you don't own the copyright. Disney would have to grant permission, which I doubt they would do publicly. I highly doubt Disney would ever come after you, but Office Depot isn't going to take that risk.

 

[AAshleySEG]

The waiver would have to come from Disney that you sign and I don't think they will be providing you with that waiver. It's not something that you can just write up yourself and sign.
There is a form that Shutters, the on board photography studio, provides that you can print off and sign so you are able to print off or make copies of their photos. But again, the waiver is provided by then you don't just write up one yourself.

The waiver I am referring to is the one at Office Depot, they lady there said if I signed it, saying that I had permission to use the images that they could print them. I keep reading stuff about "fair use" and that I would have permission to get these images printed if I am using them personally and not for profit. So that is what I meant by just going ahead and signing the waiver.

 

[TDC Nala]

They asked you to sign a waiver that you have permission FROM DISNEY to use their copyrighted characters. Which you do not technically have (if I recall correctly, "fair use" does not equal legal permission to you to use them which would also apply to the copy center.) Therefore I don't think you should sign that waiver stating that you have permission from Disney. You can print them yourself, or find a copy center that does not require you to get permission from the copyright holder.

 

[shadowryter]

As long as you do not use the images for profit you will be fine. A lot of companies will not print anything that is Disney and as a DISigner here on the boards we all know that Disney owns everything Disney no matter how creative we may get. I had images printed through Kodak and Vista Print and have had no issues. As far a lamininating goes if you are nervous about the old do it yourself you can buy a laminating machine pretty cheap and get great results. Something I'm going to do this time. Happy creating.