Re-using Harley Davidson Shirt

Updated on July 01, 2014
V.B. asks from Huntley, IL
7 answers

I have an idea for a craft involving recycling the front and back sides of used Harley Davidson shirt. Would I be in trouble for selling them? I mean, the shirts were already bought and paid for and I'm not alternating anything but the use of it. Just want to know my rights before I start anything :-/

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V.P.

answers from Columbus on

Most crafters consider this a grey area. However, most companies consider that if you are profiting from their name, reputation, logo, or even colors, you can be sued for copyright infringement. Lots of people do it, lots don't get caught. But when they do get caught, you can get in big trouble. I don't know how HD is about their products, but Disney, for example, will take you down in a heartbeat. Even being in Ohio, if I do anything with scarlet and grey or a big block O, Ohio State could come after me for profiting off their image. You can contact Harley Davidson and ask them directly. I sell a lot of my work, but I wouldn't even come close to anything like this.

3 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My sister took a couple of months off from making items and selling them on Etsy when she moved. When she came back and reopened her store she got an email that she was to take down every item that reflected any image of a certain person. She had purchased the items and reused them in another way.

She was told it was trademark infringement. Then she got a call from a resale shop she had some items for sale at. They told her if she wanted her stuff that had any OU symbols on it she should come right them to get them.

She had some sweatshirts and other garments such as hats, gloves, and scarves for resale. The owner had received a call from another consignment store owner she was friends with. The attorney's offices for OU had decided that selling items that help their trademark on them was illegal. They were CONFISCATING every item in the consignment store that had any OU markings or screen print or embroidery or picture. They were simply loading them into a vehicle and taking them. They also fined the owner of the store for selling copyrighted property.

So no, I wouldn't do it if it was anything like this. If you're thinking of making them for profit or in any sort of quantity I would think the company will trace you down and fine you.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

I spoke with a woman who was considering making items from a local university and they advised her that for her to do this the university wanted $24,000 a year for a license to sell products.

So if you have big money pockets and want to do it right, that is a start. But that is one of the companies I would not want to mess with along with John Deer, NASCAR, Disney and some professional sports teams. The customer requesting the item would have to buy the material and then you need to look at how it is manufactured by you as whether or not it would infringe on their (team/university) designs for the future.

the other S.

PS I did order some of the fabric of the university in question and it came with a large sheet of paper from the seller that it was personal use only and it was a copyrighted product. So please beware of what you are doing.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

You don't infringe on someone else's trademark unless you have some deep pockets to pay dearly for doing so.

The ONLY way you legally use someone else's trademark is to purchase the licensing fee from them which can cost in the thousands.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

you'd better contact HD and ask them. chances are you wouldn't get caught, but if you do, and if they're one of the many companies who have no sense of humor about this, it could be big trouble.
do your due diligence beforehand, or just make the craft for your own enjoyment and not profit.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

If you are selling them in person then I wouldn't worry. Once you go online and sell it on the web, then you could be risking some trouble.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

You would actually have no rights.
Make something for your home? Go ahead.
But you definitely do NOT want a piece of HD copyright infringement!

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