Copyright Question-Famous Quotes

[MoorieCaavieKnits]

I looked through the past discussions and couldn't come up with anything on this topic.

I've noticed that lots of seller use famous quotes on/in their products. How does this work? Does the quote have to be "old", like Shakespeare to be able to be used?

I am thinking of incorporating a movie quote from the original "Day the Earth Stood Still" in a knitting pattern and just wanted to make sure. 90% of my shop is one offs, so I wouldn't be mass producing anything.

I always come across cards, shirts and phone cases with quotes from Julia Child to movie quotes....What is legal? Or is this just a fuzzy case by case issue?

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Here is a link to the Copyright government web site with the information you are looking for: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-fairuse.html

[MoorieCaavieKnits]

So sellers are paying people so they can use Disney images? I thought that was a big no-no?

[SpangGangDesigns]

Unfortunately, there are LOTS and lots of items and shops that violate copyright laws over and over again. Unless the owner of the copyright pursues action (or Etsy bans them....which the "report" button NEVER does any good, IMO), it will continue. This does not make it right and I would never risk my business over it.

[MoorieCaavieKnits]

I've checked over on Project Gutenberg to see what is and isn't under copyright literary wise, its way complicated though!

[Mzcarley]

Some films and books where those quotes came from are now in the public domain and are no longer protected under copyright. For example I make needle felted sculptures and toy dolls, I could make toys and sculptures of any one of the characters or use any quote in my artwork from the Wizard of Oz books just as long as there is no connection to the film(s) or Wicked (both of which are under copyright). Copyright on a film or book only lasts 14 years

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Thanks for posting this. I had a card in my shop that had a cute quote and I gave credit to the person who said it (I originally found it on wikipedia). I just did some research and found out the quote comes from an old comic strip that's still under copyright. I had no idea. Needless to say, the listing has been removed.

[Davs]

I wanted to use some quotes in my art prints too, but ended up nixing the idea just to be safe. I did however come up with original quotes of my own and am using them instead.