Use of "Porsche" badge in artwork
 

I'm thinking about doing some painting that would include a Porsche crest. I've painted many Porsches before and never really thought about the use of the crest or the word "Porsche" and any "copyright" issues that may be involved. Does "art" get a pass when it comes to copyright laws?

Art...not sure and it depends on the definition.

You might contact the Transportation Artists & Authors Guild and see what info they or other artists can provide.

I can tell you that the name, any of their script or corporate trademarks is a definite no-no without written consent from Porsche or PCNA on retail merchandise.

I ran across a guy once who was selling polo type shirts with the Porsche block letter font screened onto the shirt. The shirt tag inside was labeled Eddie Bauer. So basically, he made them himself and was selling them retail. That is called Fraud.

Dude do one of my car and use the crest - I think if you give it to me free then you are in the clear :)

You can practice on one of my extra 911 hoods if you like:D

Somewhat.

You can make an original painting of a Porsche, including the logo, and sell prints of your painting. I supose you could hypothetically make a perfect painting of a porsche logo, then sell prints/tee shirts with copies of your painting on it. But I have a feeling you will eventually be getting a cease and desist letter from Porsche. And I have feeling they have deeper pocket than you do.

Hey Dave and Byron! Hope you all had great holidays.
I was think something a little different. Not my usual "portrait" of a car, but along the lines of a vintage box or tin...hard to explain, but I do a little bit of everything and I do lots of decorative type painting as well. It's usually fruit or flowers or little New England scenes painted on woodenware or old tinware. I was trying to think of something I could do that was Porsche related. I guess maybe I will paint a sample of what I was thinking about, post a picture of it and then get some opinions. This is an example of some decorative art that I have done.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1232438533.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1232438871.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1232438559.jpg

I'm heading up to paint today....i'll see what ideas I can come up with.

I've painted a few crests but I didn't charge for them. If I read things correctly, as long as you don't make a profit on the image, you're ok. As soon as you profit from the image (or name), you're in trouble.

I wish I could decipher some of the copyright laws more clearly. So, if I painted a picture of a 911 for a paying customer and it had the crest on the hood, is that copyright infringement? If I painted a 356 to sell with the word "Porsche" on the front, would I be in trouble as well?

Yes and Yes.

Just the image of a 911 with or without a crest could get you in trouble with Porsche from what I understand. If I were more than a hobbiest, I'm sure I would be recieving letters from Por-Legal.