copywrite infringement

[Fyrja]

Hi lovelysuds. That's a tricky one, and one I've researched before as my husband was a tattoo artist when I met him. Most often tattoos of logos fall under the category of derivative works, and if it came to it could be defended as fair use. When you create a brand that is easily recognizable and iconic to the general public then there is some expectation that other artists will derive it in different mediums.

Often if the trademark is not being injured, (ie a tattoo of Elmer Fudd, getting molested by a penguin) most larger corporations if they ever come into contact with it will just consider it free advertising and leave it at that. I'm not saying you shouldn't get a tattoo of Zombie Bugs Bunny eating Yosemite Sam, but if you do it's probably not a good idea to show it to the first Warner Bros rep you run across.

It's an entirely different matter if someone is blatantly using a registered trademark or logo, and it could be passed off as a product of that corporation. For example the the necklaces with Mickey's shape, could easily be passed off as Disney products. There's no way someone with a Mickey tatt on their rump is going to be passed off as a product of Disney.

I hope this clarifies a bit.

 

[Tabitha]

Hi lovelysuds. That's a tricky one, and one I've researched before as my husband was a tattoo artist when I met him. Most often tattoos of logos fall under the category of derivative works, and if it came to it could be defended as fair use. When you create a brand that is easily recognizable and iconic to the general public then there is some expectation that other artists will derive it in different mediums.

Often if the trademark is not being injured, (ie a tattoo of Elmer Fudd, getting molested by a penguin) most larger corporations if they ever come into contact with it will just consider it free advertising and leave it at that. I'm not saying you shouldn't get a tattoo of Zombie Bugs Bunny eating Yosemite Sam, but if you do it's probably not a good idea to show it to the first Warner Bros rep you run across.

It's an entirely different matter if someone is blatantly using a registered trademark or logo, and it could be passed off as a product of that corporation. For example the the necklaces with Mickey's shape, could easily be passed off as Disney products. There's no way someone with a Mickey tatt on their rump is going to be passed off as a product of Disney.

I hope this clarifies a bit.

 

[cthylla]

Often if the trademark is not being injured, (ie a tattoo of Elmer Fudd, getting molested by a penguin) most larger corporations if they ever come into contact with it will just consider it free advertising and leave it at that. I'm not saying you shouldn't get a tattoo of Zombie Bugs Bunny eating Yosemite Sam, but if you do it's probably not a good idea to show it to the first Warner Bros rep you run across.

HAHAHA. I suppose I should go into hiding because of my zombie Sanrio sleeve....

 

[Fyrja]

LOL Cthylla, I have a Celtic Raven piece the size of a dessert plate between my shoulder blades. I had it done about 10 years ago. Now imagine my irritation when about 5 years ago a friend brought over a bottle of wine from a California winery that was using my tattoo design as their logo. I guess that just means I need to turn it into a full back piece now. Something to tie in with the Mucha inspired half sleeve I've been planning.

 

[llineb]

You can also go to www.dreamstime.com and search through their images then buy one and it's loaded on your desktop. You can then use it for (100,000...approx) times and then purchase it again when you exceed the amount. It's very cheap like 3$ an image You can even purchase the exclusive rights to the image for about 300-500$ and they will stop selling it to other's. Although the rights for previous purchases of the image are still good for other's to use until the max usage is reached. I make my own labels using them with www.avery.com.