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?
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?
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.
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!!
if it isnt exact then you should be fine, but it also depends who you are selling them to.
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.