Thread: A copyright type question

I’m working on writing and taking pictures for my first book. If I am taking the pictures myself do I have to worry about copyrighted things in the pictures (in this case it would be copywrited dollhouse furniture (mostly Mattel)). Also can I use a copywritted toy as a main character and then use its image in the book? I’m guessing probably not but wanted to check.

The furniture, I don't know. But a copyrighted toy is definitely off limits. Like Mickey Mouse, they actively prosecute. If you make money from it, you are infringing.
Bakeries can not use copyrighted figures at all. You might argue that they sell Mickey Mouse cake pans, but they are only for home use. You can not sell anything with their characters on it.

thanks I thought so on the main charchter. Have to sew me a new idea LOL.

What character did you want to use?

I am a teacher so I had one of those only heats monkeys that rode on my name badge all day. The kids loved it and the monkey (known as Monkey) went on vacation with me( on accident, never leave your suitcase in the bathroom!) and I took a few pictures of him, which the kids begged for a story about so I made a photo book. I thought GEE why not expand this idea and write a book series? So now im hunting for someone to craft me a tiny monkey or one without a copywright!

Does it have to be a monkey? I used to do the same thing with a piece I made out of "found" things. My nephew sent one of those yard gnomes around the country to his friends to photograph and return to him. It was a hoot.

It could be something else I guess, My old class had a stuffed cow (He was a bit too big though) that one of the parents sent. Humm I could find him again and do a book about his adventures LOL. I know I want a small cute critter though since I have the perfect "house" for it to live in. Im currently not teaching anyways so I figured it was the perfect time to write a real book and try to get published.

That sounds like fun. I'd like to see what you come up with.

Me too! I was thinking somthing like mystery monkey or somthing fun like that. I noticed over the years theres not a ton of mystery books for preschoolers.

HMMMM, let me think about it, how about those cute sock monkeys. I doubt they are copyrighted. Maybe you could sew one up.

Technically, Mickey Mouse is trade-marked, not copyrighted. But, as Shirley says, you should avoid having trade-marked material in your photos, and you cannot use a trade-marked character as an MC.

Sock mokeys! hey that could work. I cant sew but my mom (who owes me one) can I like nesting dolls but those you cant dress, Oh shoot, most of the clothes the monkey wears now are copyrighted LOL

So Mom will just have to sew up some clothes. Actually. I would think generic doll clothes would be OK. But fabric stores carry doll clothes patterns that you could make and use.
How about paper dolls? With paper clothes.

paper dolls rip so easy. I would want some sorta critter I could make a few of (things get lost) and could take to work with me (when I go back to teaching) since the kids love the personal connection.

It sounds a bit strange but have you considered looking in the dog toy aisle. The things they have there are usually pretty generic and since they squeek can be counted on to entertain children. furthermore, depending on what you get and the size of it you might be able to find little tshirts or costumes. Check with your mom before you get too detailed. Sewing clothes isn't as easy as curtains and when you start to get smaller in size it gets harder not easier.

A flat paper doll is a lot like the story book Paper Stanley about the kid who gets mailed all over the world