Hey party peeps!
This post is a very valuable lesson learned by me last year after designing this GORGEOUS baby shower. First of all, let me say that it took me this long to write this due to embarassment! As a graphic designer for 17 years now, I know the ins and outs of copyright law but I was FLOORED when contacted by a certain jewelry company that I was committing copyright infringement!
I am very careful to NEVER use licensed characters or logos in any printables that I sell in my shop, and I didn’t use any logos here either, but here is what I found out:
1. The blue color used combined with the white bow on the printables is an infringement on their copyright
2. The blue box used combined with the white bow I used in the decor is an infringement on their copyright even though I didn’t even use the actual iconic jewelery box!
WOW! Luckily I hadn’t added this printable collection to my shop for sale and I designed this shower personally, I wasn’t hit with a huge lawsuit! WHEW! I was completely thrown for a loop and completely perplexed due to the THOUSANDS of parties out there that actually use the logo and the iconic boxes and the MANY vendors who sell the blue box and white bow combo. Never in a million years did it cross my mind that I was doing anything wrong. OH WELL! LESSON LEARNED!
Thought I’d share my experience with you guys so that you don’t make this same mistake. If you are a printables designer and you are using licensed characters or trademarked company logos on your printables that you are selling…be prepared to get a call similar to me. Clearly companies are taking this very seriously. For me, it’s not worth a lawsuit. I’m talented enough to design printables that don’t rely on copyrighted, licensed artwork and I turn down LOTS of requests daily to design them. Hopefully now my clients will understand why I always have to say no.
Cheers!
Tonya
Vendor Credits:
Event Styling & design: Soiree Event Design
Onesie, Bib & Carriage gumpaste cupcake toppers: KupcakeSpot
Blue box fondant cupcake toppers: Lynlee’s Petite Cakes
Bling cake pops & chocolate covered oreos: The Gourmet POP
Blue flower boxes: Blumebox
Printables: Soiree Event Design
Photography: Tonya Coleman
Good for you for speaking up about this. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You know I am a huge fan and love how this party came out. I would not have thought that the box/bow combination would have crossed that line.
Thanks Zoila! Figured I might as well put it out there since I’m sharing so much of my business in the “Girlfriend’s Guide to My Party Planning Biz!” Wouldn’t be right if I didn’t share the GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY! Isn’t that what girlfriends should do? LOL! Thanks so much for your continued support….SMOOCHES!
I think they are over exaggerating! While there are minimal similarities far as colors and yes the white bow! It is nit by any means screaming their name! I personally think there was enough to give it that flair without saying the prestigious jewelry company! But then again who am I? Considering I have seen wayyyy more events done with very clear imitation! Very nice work!
hi, do you sell the white teddy bears with the Tiffany bow? I’ve been looking for them everywhere. Ahhhh I hope you do!
Where did you get the Bears from?