Etsy Copyright Question

[Disney Princess]

I was sent to this board from the budget board to get some information/advice from all of you creative types. I have a confession - I've NEVER been to this board on the DIS because I would never consider myself creative. I will repost my original thread below. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.

I have a question about Disney products on Etsy (or any site for that matter). I have some ideas on things I could make and sell on Etsy, but they are Disney themed items. I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to sell them, but I see tons of Disney stuff on there. I thought the Mickey head/ears silhouette was copyrighted? Does Disney just not care? Is there somewhere you need to ask for permission to sell products with their copyrighted images?

What about using the Disney font? I know it is available for download, so can I use it? What about photographs of the parks/resorts? (I would ONLY use photographs that I take myself. I would never steal them from someone else). But can I use these images of their icons for my own profit?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[RustManFan]

I have written Etsy and they simply do not care if many of the images sold on their site are in violation of copyright laws. They also do not care if someone has stolen an image that someone else created, claimed it as their own and posted it for sale. Many of our DISigners have found their images there posted by these despicable human beings!! We DISign for free in respect to Disney and its copyrights

 

[Dee Hill]

I am neither a lawyer nor an expert on copyright law. But, I believe copyright law states that it is illegal to sell anything without permission that has been copyrighted. So, it is illegal to sell the Mickey head shirts, Minnie Mouse hair bows or Mickey birthday invitations without permission from Disney.

We design for free. Those receiving designs from us need to print the items on their own, personal computers. Even copy centers (Kinkos) are not allowed to profit. Shirt companies are not allowed to take the designs we make and print them on shirts. So, it seems that anyone selling Disney paraphernalia on Etsy without Disney's permission is in violation of copyright law and therefore, doing so illegally.

If you are interested in selling Disney items legally, you should contact the licensing department for Walt Disney. This is the link I found online to the Disney consumer products department, https://www.disneyconsumerproducts....ntentId=dcp_home_help_help_become_licensee_en.
Maybe they can help you.

Dee

 

[Disney Princess]

Thank you both for your answers. That is what I needed to know. I will find another idea at least in order to make money. I can still use my idea for free and for fun!

 

[RustManFan]

Remember....much of the stuff on Etsy is sold in violation of Disney copyright laws. Any design with one of their images can be used for free (and your own use) I understand.

But profiting from Disney graphics in any way is wrong.

Disney could come after you at any time.... and I believe their legal staff would be strong and without mercy!!

I personally would never buy or sell anything.... what Disney created belongs to Disney.