Simple answer no, they don’t. Marvel character rights have been a tricky thing to keep track of, ever since Marvel Comics sold of the rights to live-action usage of their characters to various movie studios in the ’90s (owing to bankruptcy).
In this post
Are superheroes copyrighted?
Marvel/DC do not have protection over general superhero tropes or themes, but they do have copyright protection over the features of the superheroes that make them unique from other characters/heroes.
Can I use Marvel characters in my art?
All Marvel characters are the intellectual property of Marvel, and thus, Disney. Therefore they can’t be used in your assignment.
Can I draw Marvel characters and sell them?
The answer is, if you are creating fan art whether for profit or not, any copyrighted character or use of trademark in a description or title without prior written consent from the copyright owner, then selling fan art is illegal but making fan art is not illegal. Confused?
What Marvel characters are public domain?
10 Public Domain Characters Marvel & DC Co-Opted
- 6 Uncle Sam With The Freedom Fighters & Justice League.
- 7 Thor The God Of Thunder & An Avenger.
- 8 Hippolyta As Wonder Woman’s Mother & Enemy Of The X-Men.
- 9 Hercules Teamed Up With The Avengers & Aquaman.
- 10 Frankenstein Allied With The Justice League & Fantastic Four.
Can you get sued for using the word superhero?
Their trademark applies to all uses of the term “superhero” in books, comic books, magazines and other publications. The restrictions extend to movies, TV shows and video games. They even include costumes, stand-up figures, playing cards, t-shirts, shoes and school supplies.
Can I use Marvel images on my website?
Images created by Marvel contracted artists are used with permission (see our copyright policy page) and are perfectly legal for public display on this non-profit fan-site.
Is Spider-Man public domain?
As a direct result of Disney lobbying, in 1998 Congress overhauled the copyright system to retroactively extend everything created between 1923 and 1977 to a 95-year term. That meant Mickey Mouse is safe at Disney until 2023, while Spider-Man won’t become public domain until 2057.
Can I sell Marvel fan art?
It is legal to sell fan art if you get permission from the original copyright owner. Fanart does not meet the requirements of the fair use act, and you may get into legal trouble for making and selling fan art without permission from theowner of the intellectual property in question.
Is Spider-Man copyrighted?
As of 2009, these characters are property of Disney. And this week, the original creators of characters like Black Widow, Iron Man, and Spider-Man, have invoked a 1978 slice of US Copyright law to try and get their hands on the rights.
Can I draw Disney characters and sell them?
No you cannot paint, offer for sale, sell, or otherwise tinker with a Disney character, at least it is illegal without an express license from the Walt Disney company.
Can you sell Marvel art Etsy?
Almost NONE of the Star Wars or Marvel Comics characters will fall into this category. Most are currently “owned” by Disney which guards it’s trademarks rigorously and could for sure cause problems if you get a cease and desist or trademark infringement through Etsy.
Is selling fanart on Etsy illegal?
As a general rule, fan art is illegal to sell on Etsy or anywhere else if the seller doesn’t have the proper legal permission from the copyright and trademark.
Is Thor in public domain?
However, unlike most Marvel characters, Thor is a mythological figure, and as such, he’s public domain. In order to trademark their version, Marvel has named the character The Mighty Thor.
Is Captain America copyrighted?
Captain America
He was created in 1941 and, without the 1998 legislation, he’d be in public domain as well; in this case, the copyright will expire in 2036. This is one case where the serialized nature of comic books really will kick in, though.
Who has rights to Thor?
Marvel
In the mid-2000s, Kevin Feige realized that Marvel still owned the rights to the core members of the Avengers, which included Thor.
Can I use superhero in my book?
The phrase “Super Hero” is jointly trademarked by Marvel and DC Comics, so independent comic book creators are out of luck if they want to use the term.
Who can use the term superhero?
The word “superhero” is jointly owned in many parts of the world by two US publishers, DC Comics and Marvel Characters Inc, an affiliate of Marvel Comics. The road to joint ownership of the word “SUPERHERO” in the United States is well-explained in this link.
Who owns the word zombie?
Wanting to capitalize on the series’ success, Marvel decided to file a trademark on the term “zombie” itself in 1973, hoping to create more stories about the undead in the future and become the only place for readers to find stories about this particular type of the living dead.
Is Thanos copyrighted?
THANOS Trademark of Marvel Characters, Inc. – Registration Number 4660110 – Serial Number 85762846 :: Justia Trademarks.
Is The Avengers logo copyrighted?
This logo image consists only of simple geometric shapes or text. It does not meet the threshold of originality needed for copyright protection, and is therefore in the public domain.