How does Copyright work?

Question

I know a friend that makes Coasters. She buys and cuts different things on including some cartoon characters. People are starting to take an interest because they look so good but now the question is, Is she braking any copyright laws if she sells the coasters? If they contain faces of cartoon characters like, bugs bubby or mickey mouse?? Thanks in advanced

The Arbiter of common sense · Accepted Answer

Absolutely she is breaking copyright law.  Those images do not belong to her.

Anonymous · Answer

The short answer is "yes".

It can be more complicated than that depending on where she's getting the images from.

For instance, if I buy a fabric with a (legally licensed) Mickey Mouse pattern and I make a pillowcase from it, I can sell the pillowcase (provided I make no claim to being connected to Disney).  If I hand paint the same Mickey Mouse pattern on fabric and do the same, I'd be violating copyright.

I'm not sure how the decoupage work of your friend would fit into that.  She should talk to a IP lawyer.

? · Answer

if your friend sells coasters with images of copyrighted cartoon characters which are also trademarked by the particular film studios without permission to use said images, she can get into legal trouble with Disney Enterprises or Warner Brothers. She would have to obtain a license to use those characters on her coasters.

Jonathan B · Answer

Yes, that would technically be breaking copyright. She might want to try sending a letter to Walt Disney, asking if she could send a portion of her profits to them, because they own the copyrights and are very strict about people breaking them. Otherwise, they will eventually take notice and sue.

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How does Copyright work?

4 Answers