Question about decals and stickers

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navycop

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I saw a thread where a guy emailed the company (mudhole) would it be alright for him to use thier fishing pole decals for stuff he sold. They said "go ahead". I am wondering if the same holds true for buying decals (michael's, hobby lobby) and affixing them to pens. Any copyright issues?
 
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There should not be any copyright issues in using decals in a pen. You aren't planning to use a another's logo as yours, I assume.
 
There should not be any copyright issues in using decals in a pen. You aren't planning to use a another's logo as yours, I assume.
No. I was just wondering if I got butterfly stickers or pink breast cancer ribbons or other types. What the consequences would be.

I think the only problem might be on some of the school decals.. I've read a thread somewhere that they tend to frown on the use of their decals if not licensed... I think it had something to do with using them in a commercial environment.. if you made a pen for your own use with the decal, wouldn't be a problem, unless you sell it.... I don't know whether this is correct or not, just a vague memory of something I read either here or on another forum.
 
This is really a grey area of copyright law. What it eventually boils down (legally) to is what did the person who made the stickers license them for/as.

Functionally, it is all about does the organization whose logo you have a sticker for care, and can you afford to fight them in court if they do. Many organizations will file C&D letters and lawsuits operating from the assumption that most people will just roll over rather than pay to fight it, whether it is a legitimate lawsuit or not.
 
I know there has been no action on this thread in a while but I thought I might add something...

I know that the Marine Corps recently copyrighted the EGA which caused vendors huge problems. They either had to get a license to use it from the corps or sell off their remaing supply and stop selling. On my pens I am buying clips with the logo and assuming the clip manufacturer got the proper license to use the logo, I dont know if that would stand up legally but it is my defense LOL. As for your own decals, it might be touchy.

Also, I would hope that anyone who makes and sells pens with pink ribbons on them is contributing part of the profit to Komen or one of the other cancer societies. I personally would have a problem morally if I was selling a pen with this logo purely for my own profit. Just my not so humble opinion! LOL
 
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Be VERY, VERY careful. Using trademarked "stickers" as an embellishment to your products is A BIG, BIG no no.

And don't think TradeMark holders will "let you slide" because you are a small fish couldn't be more wrong. Lawyers feast on "small frys" that can't defend themselves.
 
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