Can you be sued for selling t shirts?
Asked by: Prof. Amelie Thompson | Last update: July 30, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (45 votes)
Creating bootleg or inspired brand iconography is a surefire way to alienate your customers and get hit with a hefty lawsuit. Don't reverse, distort, layer, color code, or otherwise manipulate a brand, thinking it's enough to count as an original.
Can you get sued for making t-shirts?
Violate trademark or copyright and you can be sued, have all product confiscated and possible jail time if convicted in criminal court. The legal owner of the designs or logos etc. may also win a judgment against you in civil court which can leave you broke.
Is it illegal to sell t-shirts?
As you know, creating t-shirts for sale which feature copyrighted words, works of art, or images isn't allowed. But, sadly, this doesn't stop people from printing and selling t-shirts with copyrighted material, especially when the most that an artist can do is send a DMCA notice.
Is it illegal to sell shirts with quotes?
Using quotes will generally be permitted and attributing the quote is not a requirement. This is largely because using what amounts to a very small portion of a much larger body of work will not be considered copyright infringement and short phrases or small groups of words are not protected under copyright law.
Are there copyright laws for t-shirts?
We want to tell you it's okay to print whatever you desire. But the reality is that copyright law applies to all intellectual property, even what you want to put on a t-shirt.
Can You Use Celebrity Likenesses on T-shirts???
Can you put anything on a shirt and sell it?
Receive permission from the copyright owner. You can still sell t-shirts with copyrighted images, provided you gain permission from the author. Always maintain decorum and ask for permission before using anything you see on the internet.
Can you put a Nike logo on a shirt?
Absolutely! As an approved reseller of personalized Nike apparel, we are ready to help you co-brand with just the right apparel from this longtime favorite. We have a large selection of custom Nike clothing and bags with embroidered logos in our showroom.
How do you avoid copyright infringement on t-shirts?
- Create your own designs.
- Hire a designer or photographer.
- Alter existing designs.
- Check for copyright protection.
- Use public domain images.
- Purchase a license.
- Find royalty-free images.
- Purchase stock images.
How to get licensing rights for t-shirts?
It requires a license to design, produce and sell shirts that feature famous properties. If you are serious about acquiring a license, you need to contact the intellectual property owner. It's probably a good idea to consult with an attorney first. I don't know if those sites are licensed or not.
Can I sell t-shirts with book quotes on them?
Don't use a quote on a T-shirt if:
Just to be safe, don't quote anything characters say on anything scripted like movies, TV shows and plays or if it's a literary work like a novel or poem. The only exception, like we mentioned above, would be if the copyright has expired.
Can I sell t-shirts on Instagram?
Ready to start selling t-shirts on Instagram? Virtually anyone with an internet connection can start an Instagram t-shirt business. And thanks to the Instagram Shopping feature and print-on-demand companies like Printify, it's super easy and doesn't require huge investments.
Is it illegal to resell clothes?
Technically speaking, it is not illegal as long as it was purchased legitimately. Once you have bought anything from a retail store, you have complete freedom to do with it as you like. Manufacturers often have little to no influence over a product after being sold to its initial consumer.
Can you sue someone for not giving your clothes back?
File a Civil Lawsuit
You can file a conversion suit to reclaim the value of your property when someone else, without your consent, either damages or fails to return it. You can also sue for negligence or other cause of action as it fits your case.
Can I sell Marvel t-shirts?
You cannot sell unofficial products under any circumstances. Marvel's intellectual property is protected by copyright and trademark law.
Can I sell t-shirts with celebrities on them?
It's generally not permissible to print celebrity images on merchandise without authorization to do so. Business owners who use celebrity images on T-shirts without permission are potentially setting themselves up for a legal battle that could lead to a big payout to the celebrities involved.
Is it legal to sell shirts with quotes?
Some quotes may also be trademarked — so make sure you do a thorough search before using it for commercial use. There are some cases where using famous quotes is fine. If a quote is very general and not attributed to one person then this would be fine.
How much does it cost to copyright a t-shirt?
If you are filing for copyright in the US, the registration fee will be between $35-55, depending on the case.
Can I put my logo on a shirt and sell it?
You may use a trademarked logo on apparel for personal use if the usage is not commercial, which means you can't sell or distribute the shirt.
How do I protect my Tshirt designs?
The most effective way to protect an image or design on a t-shirt or other article of clothing is to file a copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright protection is strong protection for a reasonable cost.
Does Printify check for copyright?
Printify respects the intellectual property rights of others. Users must as well. We prohibit any use of our Service that infringes the intellectual property rights of others, including by producing or selling infringing or counterfeit goods.
Is it illegal to make your own Nike shirt?
If Nike as a brand comes up with an idea for a t-shirt, they might copyright that design. No one else can reproduce that design. However, the swoosh, which they also have ownership over, is their trademark.
Can anyone use the Nike logo?
Yes, the Nike Swoosh logo is trademarked. Nike trademarked the iconic swoosh logo in 1972 and currently owns several trademark registrations for it.