Don’t use Copyrighted Material:
• Digital manipulation/derivative painting of any image/photography not created by you, unless you have obtained the license/permission to reproduce the image for resale in prints/artwork
• Long quotes from movies, cartoons, books, plays…etc.
• Characters from movies, cartoons, books, plays…etc.
• Celebrity references
• Brands/slogans
Below is a summary of US copyright laws. The full document can be found here.
https://www.copyright.gov/title17/title17.pdf
Copyright protection is afforded to tangible works with authorship, including:
1. Literary works [Books, Magazines, Comics]
2. Musical works, including any accompany words [Songs, Lyrics]
3. Dramatic works, including any accompany music [Musicals, Plays]
4. Pantomime and choreographic works
5. Pictorial, graphic, sculptural works [Logos, Other artist artworks]
6. Motion pictures and other audiovisual works [Movies, Music videos, Movie clips]
7. Sound recordings
8. Architectural works
Copyright protection isn’t given to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in copyrighted works.
However, you are allowed to use works that are in the Public Domain. This includes works that have been released by the author into the public domain, or their copyright has expired.
General Guideline
Work published or registered before 1923 is Public Domain
1923-63: 67 years depending on if renewal registration was made
1964-78: 95 years
1978 and after: Life of author + 70 years; if Corporate ownership then 95 years from publication, 120 years from creation
Trademark
A symbol, word, or words legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product. [Slogans, Brand]
Examples:
• Just do it – Nike
• I am lovin’ it – McDonald’s
Both the slogans and brand names are trademarked!
*This is provided for your information but is not substitute for qualified legal advice.
