Expert: Marvinator - 1/24/2005

Question
I do sewing/embroidery work and I bought software on an auction. The software has Mickey Mouse, Bratz, 101 dalmations, and other Disney cartoons. I want to embroider baby things and sell them. I don't want to get into any trouble over Trademark. No where on it does it have any trademarks.

Thank you

Answer
Artists and huge companies go to great lengths to copyright or trademark a piece of work, whether it is the written word, a cartoon character or an oil painting.  Many times, these symbols are public knowlege, and part of the trademark.  But, simply because a design does not have a trademark SYMBOL doesn't mean it's not trademarked or copyrighted.  

And since we're on the subject, and you know someone close to you is going to say "Hey, you're a little guy!  They won't know!  Go ahead and do it!"  It doesn't matter how you sell or how big you are, you can be pretty certain that Disney is going to know you are selling stuff with their copyrighted/trademarked work, so the best thing you can do is NOT do it.  

I hope this helps.