Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

Copywrite Legal Info

I am starting a greeting card business and would like to know if I use publihsed poets writings, do I only need to put the writers name in the card to give them credit for the work or do I need to contact them to get permission to use their work in the greeting card?

Thank you.


Asked on 6/23/99, 12:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Timothy J. Walton Internet Attorney

Re: Copywrite Legal Info

You must contact the poets. Their work is copyrighted and the copyright is owned by somebody. If you publish the work without permission, you will be violating the copyright.

Even if you credit the creator of the work, copying without license is a criminal offense that can also carry high civil penalties. Spending pennies per card now for permission could save you thousands of dollars per card later.

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Answered on 6/30/99, 12:11 pm


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