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Can I put quotes on a shirt?

Quotes are generally safe to use if they exist in the Public Domain. These are works for which copyright protection has expired. If it's documented as existing in the Public Domain, you're generally safe to use it in your own original works of art such as a printed quote on a tee.
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Can I put quotes on shirts and sell them?

It also depends how you are using the quote — as per the copyright rules. So if the quote is being used for parody, critique or review, it might be allowed. But again, if you're using the material on products for commercial use it is best to avoid it or seek professional advice.
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Is it legal to use quotes on products?

Quotes can be trademarked if they're recognisable and mention famous characters. Everyone has the copyright to anything they write down, but it won't be protected if the sentence is short or generic. Also, most people won't bother pursuing you for using it on a T-shirt as long as it is properly attributed.
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Are phrases on shirts copyrighted?

While copyright allows you to protect your unique designs and creations, trademark helps protect your brand name, logo, colors, and even phrases. Also, while you can trademark phrases and slogans, it doesn't mean that you can trademark just about any slogan you want.
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Are quotes copyright free?

Under the fair use doctrine of the U.S. copyright statute, it is permissible to use limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports.
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How to Avoid Copyright Designs the EASY WAY...😀

How do you legally use quotes?

As a common practice, all quotes are copyright to the author, which means that legally you should get permission from the author you hope to borrow from. This can sometimes be very difficult if the author is deceased or a public figure.
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How much can I quote without violating copyright?

What is the amount and substantiality of the material used? The American Psychological Association allows authors to cite 400 words in single- text extracts, or 800 words in a series of text extracts, without permission (American Psychological Association, 2010).
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How do you avoid copyright on t shirts?

Be safe: 6 bulletproof ways to avoid copyright infringement with t-shirts
  1. Create your own t-shirt design. ...
  2. Hire a professional graphic designer. ...
  3. Check if the design is copyrighted. ...
  4. Buy a license for the design. ...
  5. Search for royalty-free or public domain images. ...
  6. Modify the original design.
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What phrases are not copyrighted?

Words and Short Phrases. The Copyright Office's regulations provide that “words and short phrases such as names, titles, and slogans” are not subject to copyright because they contain a de minimis amount of authorship.
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How do you know if a quote is copyrighted?

Technically, anytime an original work is created, it's protected, but the registration makes that protection stronger. You can search for copyrights and trademarks by visiting these online databases and typing in the work or phrase you're looking into: Copyright public catalog. Trademark electronic search system.
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Can you put quotes on things to sell?

In general, you cannot use quotes in your craft business unless you have written permission from the person who said it or the quote is in public domain.
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What is a quote legally?

A quote is not a binding contract. Under contract law, only offers are considered legally binding and a quote is not an offer. That said, accepting a quote can create a legally binding bargain under certain conditions. Each side must agree to give up something to form an enforceable bargain, according to USA Today.
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What quotes can I use commercially?

In the United States, the current copyright length for anything copyrighted is 70 years after the author's death. Therefore, any person can quote a work of art if it's public domain. Parodies: you can use modified bits and pieces of a quote to create a parody.
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Can I use quotes on custom tees?

Quotes are generally safe to use if they exist in the Public Domain. These are works for which copyright protection has expired. If it's documented as existing in the Public Domain, you're generally safe to use it in your own original works of art such as a printed quote on a tee.
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Can you sell shirts with celebrity quotes?

The short answer is a big NO. Unless you have the authorization, agreement, and contract with rights and limitations in doing so from the celebrity/ his/her management/agent, then you have no legal right to use and especially print and make sales off of a celebrity's image.
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Can I sell shirts with designs from Etsy?

To sell Printify tshirts on Etsy you go to the Etsy marketplace and pick the Printify app. You set up an account and then it gets “hooked” to your Etsy store so they can add your tshirt designs to your listings.
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What are 3 items that can't be copyrighted?

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks.
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What common phrases are copyrighted?

6 Trademarked Famous Catchphrases
  • “You're Fired!”
  • 2. “ Hasta la Vista Baby”
  • 3. “ Ancient Chinese Secret”
  • 4. “ BANANAS”
  • “Let's Get Ready to Rumble!”
  • 6. “ That's Hot”
  • Learn more about our Translation Services and our Legal Translation services!
  • About Language Connections:
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What phrases are copyrighted?

Only a phrase that is used for a commercial purpose may be trademarked. You can't trademark a phrase just because you like it and don't want anyone else to use it. You must be using the phrase or intending to use the phrase in connection with the sale of goods or services.
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Is it illegal to sell shirts with logos?

In fact, copyright and trademark violations can in some cases lead to criminal charges. Selling shirts with copyrighted images isn't impossible, but you should never use someone else's logos on your T-shirts or other clothing without their explicit permission.
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Can you get sued for copying a t-shirt design?

Images You Can Use, Worry-Free

These types of imagery can't be protected by copyright or trademark. That means you won't get sued for using them as part of your t-shirt design. Note that this does not mean that you can use someone else's work that uses said flag, national symbol, et cetera.
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Can you sell shirts with logos on them?

It is illegal to sell a T-shirt with a logo on it without the trademark owner's permission if that logo is either a trademark for clothing or the logo is a very well-known brand. You would be at risk of a trademark infringement lawsuit if you were to do this.
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Can you be quoted without permission?

The use of relatively short direct quotes from a published work does not usually require permission from the copyright holder as it typically falls under the “fair use” provision.
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Has anyone gone to jail for copyright infringement?

A 26-year-old California man who pleaded guilty last December to criminal copyright infringement charges was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison -- the longest U.S. sentence ever for software piracy -- for his role in illegally copying and selling pirated software (download PDF).
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How long does copyright last on quotes?

As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.
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