Hey everyone - So I got an idea for a business. It would be to create T-shirts with quotes attributed to famous people that they never actually said. The quotes would be funny. It's really just a fun side-business. Not my main one. So, a shirt would have a quote, and then the person's name. Any copyright infringement there? What if that included a picture? Plus, this might include historical figures that are now long dead. Or it could also include contemporary figures like sports stars. Can I use their names and pictures without legal permission? Please show me how US copyright law does or does not apply in this situation. Thanks, Dan
I'd be more worried about defamation of character, but no it's not legal to use someones name or image for profit without permission. If you keep it to dead people, you would likely be fine.
Just incase you haven't found these links from a quick google search https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_rights Bob Marley's Estate Wins Lawsuit over Unauthorized Merchandise Sellers Being dead hasn't made it easier for the people wanting to exploit him. His estate owns the rights.
no because people will think the people said what you say they said, your time would be better served designing cool designs and making a label. Having your own inhouse screening process is the way to go. Make a label, get a site start marketing and start making designs. O don't use some shyt 145 gram t-shirt