Candace

I think people can really over think and worry about nothing. Make the wallhanging for your friend. Just don't make a hundred and try to sell them.

katesnanna

Ditto!!!

ckcowl

when you purchase a licensed item you are allowed to use it---without fear= but along with what our (grumpy author) has stated- you can not profit from it- you also can not publish it...which means you could get into trouble posting pictures---you may not- but you could-
its like going to a museum-taking pictures of the works- then posting the pictures somewhere else---without permission---
the PERMISSIION part is the key here=
it really is not a difficult step to obtain permission- even from Disney- yes they are strict about (the rules) but they also do give permission when the proper steps are taken to obtain it.
go to their main web site- and send a letter- telling them what you plan to do-
they will tell you (in your case)--you CAN NOT COPY A PICTURE LICENSED BY DISNEY- AND USE IT FOR YOUR PROJECT- YOU CAN HOWEVER BUY A PICTURE AND USE IT IN ANY WAY YOU WANT AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT SELL/PROFIT FROM IT-
THE KEY HERE IS YOUR PLAN TO COPY SOMETHING---YOU CAN GO BUY DISNEY FABRIC, YOU CAN BUY DISNEY-WHAT EVER----YOU CAN NOT COPY A DISNEY IMAGE THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS PAID FOR
COPY NEEDS PERMISSION

LindaM49

Make it and give it to your friend. I have another small business pouring and selling candles. You can buy Coke glasses and use them to drink out of...but DON'T pour candles in them and take them to a craft show or you can get a cease and desist from Coca Cola IF someone reports you or if the "candle police" are there.

Similar thing happened to a woman who owned a consignment shop where I sold my candles. She and her hubby made a lot of Penn State stuff and sold it in their shop. They made a huge mistake of taking it to PS when tailgating before a game and were selling it in the parking lot. They were "visited" by some people from PSU who told them to pack it up. If they did not they would be "escorted" out of the parking lot.

Penn State sells licensed fabric that I used to make my grandaughter who is starting there 8/22...a tote purse. That is okay...but...if she makes 100 new friends and they all want one like it I am not allowed to mass produce and sell them. Although I know a woman (now deceased) that used to make stadium blankets out of every team fabric out there and sold them at flea markets and craft shows and NEVER got in trouble. A friend of hers makes pillows and aprons out of NASCAR fabrics and all sports fabrics and does craft shows etc. and has never had a problem. I bought an apron from her...knowing she isn't supposed to be doing this...but I'll let someone else tell her. lol

gaevren

Here is a good link on copyright fair use:

http://www.umuc.edu/library/libhow/c...use_definition

I think you're fine. You're not trying to sell or make a profit, you're using it for artistic purposes and in a different medium than the original.

Zhillslady

I am amazed at how these companies protect their trademarks but I guess I see why. Here is my experience. I made an M & M quilt several years ago because I collect M&M collectibles. I did not use M&M fabric but I made appliques all the way around that look like M&M people. I entered it in strawberry festival and the organizers asked if I have permission to use a registered trademark. So I wrote to M & M. WOW I never bought an M&M collectible after that. I wrote explaning how I made it and included a picture. I figured at best maybe and ok and at worse a no go. What I got back was a letter that never mentioned thanks for asking, sorry no, etc. It was flat out, you've infringed on our copyright and if I continued I would be prosecuted. I then 2 weeks later received a letter from corp atty saying they would sue me if I displayed quilt in a public venue and ask I destroy it. I did not I gave to my niece butr I got the drift.

BellaBoo

If it is a one time gift or for personal use I don't even bother enough to think about copyrights.

Glassquilt

A customer asked us to make a window with her alma mater's logo in it. It was a Big Ten school. Since we were going to be paid to duplicate it we insisted that she write the school, get permission in writing for us.

The school gave permission for us to make the one panel for the student. Everyone was happy.