Options
Copyright issues related to making your own custom cards?
originalisbest
Posts: 5,920 ✭✭✭✭
I've often wondered about this, and not being a lawyer in any sense of the word (much less one focused on copyrights) thought I'd ask the board for your collective opinion. And am certainly not looking for any free legal advice, realizing that'd be worth exactly what I paid for it. 
I'd LOVE to make and print my own custom "cards that never were" -- things like a '52 Topps Williams, a '55 Topps Mantle, etc. In some cases, I know Topps has pretty well covered these sorts of needs with their special issues made for the National, etc. But basically, I want to create some for myself, as I imagine them to have appeared... Without the various tiny team and persona notations of © and ® and TM and etc. etc. etc. -- to better appear as they might have if they were actually produced during that time.
But other than printing these strictly for my own use and amusement, I suppose there's no way to sell them in any way? Not only considering the copyrights that Topps holds for their vintage designs, but also the players themselves, and whatever agencies hold the rights to their images, etc.
It's details like this that make me wonder how Bob Lemke is able to produce his fantasy cards but not get in hot water with Topps, or the estates of the players he features? Perhaps it's enough that he clearly is imitating a Topps design, but uses "BOBBS" instead of "TOPPS" on the backs. Or maybe that the quantities are limited? Not that he's making a fortune from it, but I do wonder if he's ever had to deal with any legal cease-and-desists.
I guess when it comes down to it, I've got some designs I'd like to make for myself, but maybe they'll have to be only for my personal use. Curious to see what the board thinks though.
Appreciate any responses!
I'd LOVE to make and print my own custom "cards that never were" -- things like a '52 Topps Williams, a '55 Topps Mantle, etc. In some cases, I know Topps has pretty well covered these sorts of needs with their special issues made for the National, etc. But basically, I want to create some for myself, as I imagine them to have appeared... Without the various tiny team and persona notations of © and ® and TM and etc. etc. etc. -- to better appear as they might have if they were actually produced during that time.
But other than printing these strictly for my own use and amusement, I suppose there's no way to sell them in any way? Not only considering the copyrights that Topps holds for their vintage designs, but also the players themselves, and whatever agencies hold the rights to their images, etc.
It's details like this that make me wonder how Bob Lemke is able to produce his fantasy cards but not get in hot water with Topps, or the estates of the players he features? Perhaps it's enough that he clearly is imitating a Topps design, but uses "BOBBS" instead of "TOPPS" on the backs. Or maybe that the quantities are limited? Not that he's making a fortune from it, but I do wonder if he's ever had to deal with any legal cease-and-desists.
I guess when it comes down to it, I've got some designs I'd like to make for myself, but maybe they'll have to be only for my personal use. Curious to see what the board thinks though.
Appreciate any responses!
0
Comments
That's the short form answer, anyway. You don't want to be in a position of having to pay to find out the long form answer.
Thanks for the reply!