Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Washington
Doll Clothes copyright?
Hello thank you for taking the time to read my question, I�m member of a web based forum about the collecting and customizing ABJD�s ( Asian ball jointed dolls) There has been an ongoing debate about whether or not doll clothing and outfits are or can be copyrighted?
An example of this would be if a seamstress on the forum is commissioned by another user to make him or her an Outfit based on a design from a doll companies outfit. Would this be considered copyright infringement?
Is it true that only labels and graphics can be copyrighted? Not the basic design of the clothes.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Doll Clothes copyright?
You should look at design patents which can be used to protect the look of a physical article. Fashion designers have been pushing for copyright protection of clothing, but to my knowledge Congress has not passed anything yet. Here is a good blog article on the topic: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20080327/002456664.shtml.
- Mason