Blueyedbethie82
Junior Member
I live in the state of Missouri. I have wanted to start a party planning business around the "Harry Potter" theme for some time now. Obviously, this would fall under copyright law since everything that has to do with "Potter" is licensed in some way or another. However, I have seen internet sites that sell "unauthorized" books, t-shirts, etc. Pretty much anything you can think of, I've seen it being sold as unlicensed merchandise. Now, I will not be selling any merchandise at all. Anything physical the guests receive would be part of the service (such as prizes, goodie bags, food, beverages, etc.) I will not give out any licensed merchandise at all. I really need to know if my service is going to infringe on J.K. Rowling's or Warner Brother's copyrights since I will have actors dressed up as "Potter" characters, use words, phrases, and character's names and likenesses, and have similar objects that you would see in the "Harry Potter" world as decorations and props (a "chalkboard" with a "transfiguration" spell on it, robes in house colors that actually say "Gryffindor", "Ravenclaw", "Hufflepuff", and "Slytherin", etc.) As long as I'm not selling these items, is it legal for me to charge customers for my party planning services and then come to their house with these items and use them during the party?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?