How do you know when you're not infringing on copyrights with a website?

by Hanz
3 replies
Say for example that I had created a blog on Spider-Man. Since Spider-Man is owned by Marvel, isn't that infringing on copyrighted material considering Marvel owns all rights to the Spider-man character? So how can they allow all those 100+ Spider-Man sites out there to exist? Where is the line drawn regarding using copyrighted material on websites like say superhero characters, celebrity sites, etc?
#copyrights #infringing #website
  • Profile picture of the author leclaims
    Definitely tough questions, and I don't know that this is the place where you're going to find definite answers because of the legal nature that they pose.

    I think it's more of a CYA thing for companies. Simply talking about things like Spider Man on your site shouldn't be an issue, I wouldn't think. But then again, because Marvel owns the Spider Man character, does that also mean they own the phrase "Spider Man" or "Spider-Man", so nobody else can print it anywhere? Talk about a nightmare.
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    • Profile picture of the author Hanz
      Originally Posted by leclaims View Post

      Definitely tough questions, and I don't know that this is the place where you're going to find definite answers because of the legal nature that they pose.

      I think it's more of a CYA thing for companies. Simply talking about things like Spider Man on your site shouldn't be an issue, I wouldn't think.
      What about unofficial fan sites of Spider-Man, Superman, etc? There are so many of them out there but what I notice is that most if not all of them all link back to the "Official" site along with using a disclaimer claiming that the fan site is merely an unofficial site and all copyright to the characters belongs to Marvel/DC).
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      • Profile picture of the author leclaims
        Originally Posted by Hanz View Post

        What about unofficial fan sites of Spider-Man, Superman, etc? There are so many of them out there but what I notice is that most if not all of them all link back to the "Official" site along with using a disclaimer claiming that the fan site is merely an unofficial site and all copyright to the characters belongs to Marvel/DC).
        Perhaps the trademark terms for Marvel property state that sites or other works wanting to reference Spider-Man have to do this in order to be compliant with their terms? My guess...
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