Is it legal to sell paintings of commercial logo interpretations?
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?
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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?
March 10th, 2010 at 12:02 am
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. Jennifer D
March 11th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
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!! grouch2111
March 14th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
if it isnt exact then you should be fine, but it also depends who you are selling them to. Doodle
March 15th, 2010 at 5:27 am
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. mo