MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => General Stock Discussion => Topic started by: AdviceNeeded on August 02, 2011, 14:33
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I’ve been working on an graphic design relating to The Muppets. There is a new film coming out in November, so my creation is or will be topical. It’s extremely colourful and abstract, though highbrow.
My design will work as a poster/print or on a T-Shirt and that’s the problem. The image of The Muppets (actually it’s Miss Piggy) is owned and protected by Disney. That said, my understanding is that my design can be used to illustrate an article or news feature in a newspaper or magazine, without too many problems.
Therefore do I submit my design to a single agency or do I directly contact a myriad of titles and/or publishers? Obviously my design is not a photograph, and I hope those reading this wont be offended, but it would be good to find the means to financially exploit my design.
I’m thinking of submitting it the Press Association, or am I being too ambitious.
All advice is appreciated.
Best Wishes
Phil Rhodes
Yorkshire - England
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Disney is EXTREMELY protective of it's copyrights. My advice would be to skip it altogether unless you have specific permission from Disney.
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'That said, my understanding is that my design can be used to illustrate an article or news feature in a newspaper or magazine, without too many problems.'
Anyone writing an article will use official press material, not a fan pic.
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'That said, my understanding is that my design can be used to illustrate an article or news feature in a newspaper or magazine, without too many problems.'
Anyone writing an article will use official press material, not a fan pic.
Maybe you could write one yourself and supply your own pic.
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Could you make it a generic pig design that you can sell unrestricted without fending off hordes of lawyers?
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Could you make it a generic pig design that you can sell unrestricted without fending off hordes of lawyers?
Here in Colorado we had a Motel Called the "Big Bunny Motel" with a big neon sign of a rabbit. The Big Bunny Motel was sued by the folks that own the rights to Bugs Bunny....and the Bugs Bunny folks won.
Unfortunately, in the U.S., those with the deeper pockets that can afford the better lawyers usually win.
modified to add a Flickr Link (not mine)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/toomuchfire/4836187512/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/toomuchfire/4836187512/#)
See the description of the image...
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The link says the motel sign bunny not only had a very close resemblance to the trademarked rabbit but the name of the motel was originally the Bugs Bunny Motel. Did someone actually believe they wouldn't be sued? Seems to me that a lawyer fresh from law school would win that one.
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The Bugs Bunny Motel was built in 1952. They got sued in 1997. There's an 8 year difference between the date the character was created and the motel was created. They got away with it for over 45 years - that's a lifetime for some folks ;D