Protected Images & Content

RushOrderTees is excited to help you create custom apparel for your group, organization, or event, but there are legal limitations to the content that can be used. We’re obligated to follow all relevant laws surrounding the production of custom apparel using the intellectual property for sale.

Despite the limitations, we’re here to help! Consider this brief explanation of what can and cannot be used in creating your custom apparel.

Intellectual Property is Protected

Intellectual Property (IP) is made up of intangible creations of the human mind that include literary, artistic and design works. The rights to use these works belong to the creator or a legally recognized third party. Copyrights and trademarks are the most common types of IP encountered when customizing apparel, so creators must have the legal right to use the related content.

What is Copyright?

Copyright protects original works of authorship as soon as the creator develops a piece of work in a tangible medium. Common types of materials include:

Casual use and sharing of works rarely create an issue; however, the use on purchased apparel does infringe on the creator’s rights of ownership.

Watermarked Images

A common issue is the attempt to use watermarked images in a custom design. A watermark is a sign (logo, stamp, signature) placed on an image that indicates that rights to its use are protected under copyright. Unfortunately, watermarked images cannot be used; however, rights may be available to purchase from the rights holder.

What is a Trademark?

A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination of these things that identifies a company’s goods or services. Examples include: