Copyright Laws/Infringement- Custom Drum Kit Company- HELP!

[DanielaSJC]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts


Hello,
My name is Daniela. I work for a custom drum kit manufacturer called SJC custom drums in Southbridge, MA. My question is in regards to copyright infringement. We have artists that hand paint drums and sometimes we get requests for paintings of the Simpsons, The Addams Family, etc. What are the laws in regards to something like this? What do we need to do in order to create these custom drum pieces without getting into trouble? Are there specific laws we need to abide by? Forms we need to fill out? Is there anything we can do to avoid having issues in the future? We are also curious about copy infringement when using logos on our kits. Anything you can send my way would be extremely helpful.

Thank you,
Daniela

 

[quincy]

From what you have posted here, the custom drum manufacturer needs to worry about both copyright infringement and trademark infringement.

If the drum customers have not obtained a license to use the copyrighted or trademarked character they want displayed on the drum, and the drum manufacturer has not obtained a license to use a copyrighted or trademarked character, the possiblity exists that the customers, the manufacturer OR the artist, or the customers, the manufacturer AND the artist, could receive a notice of infringement and a demand for compensation, or be served with a summons and complaint forcing them into a lawsuit.

You obtain permission to use rights-protected material by contacting the rights holder. It is best to have all agreements in writing.

Visit http://www.copyright.gov for a look at the copyright laws, and visit http://www.uspto.gov for a look at the trademark laws.