Copyright question

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m wondering. If you were to buy an item such as a cycling helmet, remove all stickers etc, and then label up with adverts for a company other than the original manufacturer, are you in breach of any copyright laws in the USA?

If the company were not in direct competition with the original manufacturer. So I’m not thinking of stickering a Giro helmet up with Bell, or a Felt bike up with Raleigh lets say.

And the person wearing it would obviously be making their living within the course of wearing / riding / whatever , the item? But just not from this particular item.

2

no, that’s perfectly fine.

3

This happens pretty regularly with sponsored riders. not sure if they have to get permission from the manufacturer though. My guess is no.

4

We’ve had permission in the past here in NZ. But that’s my question, if I weren’t to gain permission because sometimes the hassle of making contact with a manufacturer, agreeing to their terms (it could be place a logo on your website etc), ends up being more hassle than just purchasing the helmet (or whatever) your self from some one like Probikekit, and then getting the stickers and putting them on. And having it as a taxable expense?

5

If you were to buy an item such as a cycling helmet, remove all stickers etc, and then label up with adverts for a company other than the original manufacturer, are you in breach of any copyright laws in the USA?
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Nope.

6

You’re not making a copy of the helmet. The original manufacturer has no say what you do with the helmet. You could alter the helmet in any way you want, broadcast on TV or the Internet, dance, sing and press wildflowers. The helmet original company would suffer no copyright damage.

The new company adverts that you stick on the helmet would be subject to copyright and trademark law, so you might need permission to use their copyright or trademark.

7

If you buy a truck and put your business’s name all over it -no problem.
If you buy some Ford trucks and remove all the name plates and put GMC name plates on, then sell them as new GMC trucks- big problem.