How to Avoid Infringing on Protected Characters, Celebrities, and Brands

When using designs from our platform, it's important to ensure that you do not inadvertently infringe on the rights of protected characters, celebrities, or well-known brands. Characters like Mickey Mouse, Iron Man, and the Hulk; images of famous celebrities; and well-known brands, including their logos and slogans, are all protected by intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use of these elements can lead to legal issues, so it’s good practice to be cautious.

We're here to help you get a better understanding of copyright laws with the info in this article. But, keep in mind that this isn't official legal advice. For any specific legal questions or situations, it's always a good idea to consult a legal professional.

Understanding Protected Characters, Celebrities, and Brands:

1. Protected characters

   • Characters from movies, TV shows, books, comics, and other media, such as Mickey Mouse or Iron Man, are usually protected by copyright and trademark. This protection extends to their names, likenesses, and any symbols associated with them.

2. Celebrity likenesses

   • Celebrities have rights over the use of their images and names. Unauthorized use of a celebrity’s likeness in any design can lead to violations of their right of publicity, which can result in legal action.

3. Well-known brands and slogans

   • Brands like Nike and Adidas are protected by trademarks. Their brand names, logos and slogans are often trademarked. Using these in designs without authorization can lead to legal repercussions.

How to ensure compliance:

1. Be cautious with recognizable features

   • Avoid using any recognizable characters, celebrity likenesses, or brand elements in your designs, unless you are certain they do not infringe on intellectual property rights. Even subtle references can be legally problematic if they create an association with the protected entity.

2. Report potential issues

   • If you encounter any designs on our platform that you suspect may infringe on third-party rights, please report them to us at hi@creativefabrica.com. Your vigilance helps us maintain a safe and compliant environment for all users.

3. When in doubt, don't use it

   • If you’re unsure whether a design might infringe on the rights of a character, celebrity, or brand, it’s safer not to use it.