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madamesilverspurs

(16,042 posts)
Wed Aug 3, 2016, 01:39 PM Aug 2016

If at first you don't succeed . . .

A while back I introduced a pro-Hillary T-shirt design. It was, to my delight, well received, and there were many urgings that I make it available for Hillary supporters. To that end I began efforts to contact the Hillary campaign, seeking permission to go ahead, or even a simple “no objection” to the design. From the regional director of the victory campaign came the remark that it was “not likely that the campaign would object to seeing the candidate promoted,” and encouraged me to have some made for my use and to share with others locally. For three months I have continued to try to contact someone/anyone in the Clinton campaign. My email to the legal team was finally answered:

Thank you for your support of Hillary for America. We are always looking for new ways to make ourselves more accessible for those who want to be involved in the campaign, and very much appreciate your input and ideas. We will be sure to take your feedback into consideration as we continue expanding our website and outreach.

Please consider signing up to volunteer . . .


So, welcome back to square one. The online store I set up to make the shirts available is unwilling to produce the design without written permission from the campaign, and I completely understand their legal concerns.

That said, respecting the legal parameters is frustrating as all get out, especially when the Hillary logo, like the Obama logo before it, is used on widely available products that are decidedly anti-Democrat. At this point, I can do nothing but shake my head, mildly amused that the frustration itself is completely legal.

Meanwhile, please excuse the large brick-wall imprint on my forehead.



. . .sigh . . .

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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If at first you don't succeed . . . (Original Post) madamesilverspurs Aug 2016 OP
Maybe someone here will have some ideas for you. sheshe2 Aug 2016 #1
point out to your mfg that this falls under "Fair use" as you are doing 'commentary'. Thats why TeamPooka Aug 2016 #2
Thanks. madamesilverspurs Aug 2016 #3

sheshe2

(87,476 posts)
1. Maybe someone here will have some ideas for you.
Wed Aug 3, 2016, 02:05 PM
Aug 2016

Good luck, I know for a fact your designs are great. I love mine!

TeamPooka

(25,273 posts)
2. point out to your mfg that this falls under "Fair use" as you are doing 'commentary'. Thats why
Thu Aug 4, 2016, 03:50 PM
Aug 2016

the images can be used on the negative stuff as criticism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

madamesilverspurs

(16,042 posts)
3. Thanks.
Thu Aug 4, 2016, 04:28 PM
Aug 2016

From the manufacturer's legal dept:

We're concerned that there is a possibility your designs are copyright protected by a third party. We have temporarily deactivated the above designs, and all products created with these designs, from your shop.
...
In order to uphold our legal obligations as a platform provider, we require written confirmation of this right. This is also to your advantage as fines for copyright violations are unlimited, with a minimum level of $1000 USD.



I'm not sure that they would be persuaded by the "fair use" argument, but I'll give it a try.

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