Is it legal to sell paintings of commercial logo interpretations?
October 4th, 2008 | by logo |
Slick Mac asked:
I like to paint logos, but I try to combine 2 different common logos into one logo that looks familiar, but is not an exact duplicate of either. My question is, is it legal to sell my artwork, or am I going to have problems with Coca-Cola and McDonalds getting all bent out of shape if I morph thier logos together. If thier is some law, can someone reference it?
CLEO
I like to paint logos, but I try to combine 2 different common logos into one logo that looks familiar, but is not an exact duplicate of either. My question is, is it legal to sell my artwork, or am I going to have problems with Coca-Cola and McDonalds getting all bent out of shape if I morph thier logos together. If thier is some law, can someone reference it?
CLEO
4 Responses to “Is it legal to sell paintings of commercial logo interpretations?”
By Jennifer D on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
If the logo is still identifiable (for example, you put zebra print on a Coca Cola logo, etc.), it is copyright infringement. Most likely, you’ll get a Cease and Desist order from the court, and the copyright holder may come after you for court costs. It’s not worth it.
By grouch2111 on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply
I wouldn’t worry to much about it. You see t-shirts with logos that look like a company, but, say something else all the time. Warhol had his campbells soup cans, right? I’d just go ahead and do it, let a lawyer deal with the law. Artist deal with the art!!
By Doodle on Oct 8, 2008 | Reply
if it isnt exact then you should be fine, but it also depends who you are selling them to.
By mo on Oct 11, 2008 | Reply
Interpretations are fine, you just can’t use a logo by its self, there are a whole lot of laws involved here in the protection of trade mark branding.
If say for instance you painted a coke bottle with the logo quite clearly evident, then it comes under fair use, if you paint 2/3rds of a logo on a canvas, it is still under fair use, If you paint the logo in full visual of the beholder, you better get a license or permission in writing, before you start making income from it.
Fines are really high, and depending which country, can include jail time…Of course, that would mean, you made a lot of luca.
Since some of my paintings sell for a lot of luca, and are protected, they also, are completely of my own creative vision.