Expert: - 9/28/2010

Question
QUESTION: Is it legal to re-design old clothing I already have  into new
clothing and sell it online?Or am infringing on copyright
issues ect?I would appreciate any and all feedback you could
give me on this subject, thank you, Cindy

ANSWER: Hi Cindy,

I am not clear if you are taking the actual clothing piece and redoing it or creating a pattern from pieces you are buying?

I am not an attorney - however - if you are changing the item at least 30% it should be your item. I would absolutely not keep the original label in the garment - but would add your own label saying something like "re-created by Cindy". People re-sell items all the time like jeans, jean jackets etc that they embellish and it sounds as though you are doing something similar to that - re-purposing vintage clothing. I think you want to take the high road and make sure you are not misrepresenting an existing label. You are creating your own from old.

As far as creating a pattern from a vintage item - you can do that. Designers do it all the time and then make it their own. Look at things like Chanel jackets - designers have put their own twist on a classic. You just do not want to represent it as coming from the original designer when it is not.

I hope this helps you with your project!

Love & success - you CAN do it!

Jane Button
www.design2marketsuccess.com
www.janebutton.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: now,...where do you think would be a good place to have my re-
designed clothing seen?

Answer
Hi Cindy,

I am not quite sure how to answer your question. Are you selling online with your own website - selling in stores - on Etsy? What are you doing now - who is your target market?

Love & success - you CAN do it!

Jane Button
www.design2marketsuccess.com
www.janebutton.com