Question about Hank and Stacey's comic store...

[disneyteddies]

As some of you know Stace and I are working on opening an online comic book store (god knows when???) and I have a question some of you might b able to help me with. I want to be able to put pictures of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Spiderman and others up on the website (not up yet) but I don't want to be sued or have problems with trademarks. I really would love to have the actual heroes rather than create some weird new ones. Anyone know what I have to do...I've tried to contact DC and Marvel with no replies, is there another route I can try...I will gladly pay a few bucks to have these guys and gals on our site if I have to. Hoss, how do you have these images on the www.ComicsCorral.com logo? This is one of the things that has kept us so busy lately, we're writing up a business proposal to try to get some money to make this a huge deal and we have never run into sooooo much new stuff and red tape. SOOOOO many rules, things to learn, fee's to pay, stock to buy etc. I can't wait until it's up and running!!! Thanx for any help or suggestions gang. C-ya in the funny papers.

Hank.

[Hoss]

Here is an interesting article from Marvel on eBay's site.

It's interesting. http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=marvelcomics-iprights

Looks like my logo may not be on the up and up, technically.

[Hoss]

Well, that applies more to auctions, but I'm sure they may have exceptions for stores. I notice a lot of stores don't use any images other than for the ones they are selling.

[marvelguy]

I don't think there would be a problem if you use images only for the website design. Images are so prevalent on the net, it's not like illegal downloads since the songs are for sale or trade. The images you're referring to is copyrighted and not for sale. But on the other hand, if I asked a famous artist at a con to draw me a sketch of Captain America and he sold it to me for $25, is that legal? I guess.

[disneyteddies]

Thanx for the replies so far. Please keep em' coming. Hoss what about the Corral logo, did you need any permission to do that? Or did ya just do it? And yeah MG. I just wanted some cool pics for the main website page and maybe a couple more...I'm not talking about hundreds of images...maybe just 10 or twenty for background support. Thanx you two for your input so far.

Hank.

[Hoss]

Hi Hank!

No, I do not have permission to use any of the characters on logo. I hope marvel and dc don't ever come around to make me take it away!

I'm such a rebel.

I'll take it off if they get mad at me/threaten to sue.

+

[disneyteddies]

Don't worry...we won't tell :wink: .