Hi all! Questions on quote copyrights

[BonTempsCollective]

Hello! I haven't launched my shop yet but am looking forward to doing so in the next few weeks!

My question is in regards to copyrights when it comes to famous quotes from books, movies, and songs. Would you be infringing on a copyright to replicate these quotes?

For example, if I wanted to hand letter the quote "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn," from Gone with the Wind, could I get penalized for making money off of a copyrighted film?

If the answer is yes, how is it that I so often see quotes from famous works being sold on Etsy, namely famous books.

Thanks, excited to be part of the team!

[Former_Member]

Hi Collette!

Intellectual property is tricky and can be a case by case thing but here's what I've gleaned from my research. The umbrella rule is that: "Public domain works are works whose copyrights were issued before 1923. Many authors choose to use quotes only from people who have been dead more than seventy-five years because their quotes are now considered “Fair Use” under the public domain. Copyrights are good for the duration of the author’s life and for seventy-five years beyond their death. It is generally safe to use quotes from authors who died 1936 or before.” But there can be exceptions - for example the company CMG Worldwide manages the intellectual property to some people have passed away long before 1936 - like Mark Twain.

You will see that a LOT of people are using quotes that are clearly not in the public domain (for example Bill Gates quotes) or outright copyrighted (like Disney items) but these seller are just betting that they will not be contacted by the owner of the intellectual property.

The answer to your specific question can be found here: http://blog.librarylaw.com/librarylaw/2004/11/emgone_with_the.html

I'll be interested to see what others have to add!

[BonTempsCollective]

Thank you Candice! That was super helpful and by far the most simple, straightforward info I've found on the subject. Yikes, I gotta say, even with the quotes of those long passed, it seems risky!

Thanks again for all your help! Happy selling!

p.s. i LOVE your store name. Just lovely.