Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Ohio

Re: Legal info regarding t-shirts.

Most issues arise on a case by case basis. Certain images are protected by copyright of the artist or photographer. Obviously obscene images will get you in hot water. The First Amendment is not absolute, and selling images that violate copyright will get you sued.

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Re: Legal info regarding t-shirts.

"I know it when I see it"

- Justice Potter Stewart

Of course, Stewart was referring to hard-core porn. If you're talking about blood and guts, you have extensive, and possibly absolute protection under the First Amendment. If you want to display body parts normally covered by bathing suits, you'd probably be okay in urban and subrban areas but you should consider what the 'community standards' might be. If you're talking NYC, no problem. If you're talking Lufkin, Tx I'd be a lot more conservative. As to famous people, there is significant protection under the First Amendment for parody, satire and critical opinion and truth is a defense to libel. If you're using someone else's artwork you may require a license. Of course, a lawyer would have to eyeball exactly what you're intending to do in order to provide a specific opinion.