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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    Default Iron Man Costume Replica

    Hello everyone and thanks in advance for any help,

    I am building a life size Iron Man replica costume for Halloween (for next year ) or as a rental for parties and such. I see Hundreds of websites out there selling all forms of different superhero costumes from Superman to Batman and can't see them all getting a special license from marvel or Hasbro in order to sell them. I was worried about violating copyright laws or other laws I'm not aware of. I don't plan on mass producing them as they will be custom suits.

    any advice is greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    If you're making a replica just for yourself, you should be OK.

    If you intend to rent it out? DON'T. Marvel is VERY protective of its intellectual property, and they will sue you back to the Stone Ages if they catch you profiting from its IP. Trademark infringement lawsuits are incredibly expensive to defend.

    I see Hundreds of websites out there selling all forms of different superhero costumes from Superman to Batman and can't see them all getting a special license from marvel or Hasbro in order to sell them.
    Those costume sites you refer to get their costumes from suppliers who have the license to produce the costumes. The costumes are made by 2 or 3 licensees, and distributed to retailers for sale.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    Thanks for the info LawResearcherMissy

    So would if i were going to sell these costumes, would it be in my best interest to :
    a) apply for a license from Marvel (which is probably very expensive or so hard to obtain and I wouldn't even know where to start)
    b) try to get hired and work for the suppliers as a sub-contractor..? (then i would be under their license to produce them )

    c) wear it and just fight crime myself..lol

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    gogojuice;470327]Thanks for the info LawResearcherMissy

    So would if i were going to sell these costumes, would it be in my best interest to :
    a) apply for a license from Marvel (which is probably very expensive or so hard to obtain and I wouldn't even know where to start)
    your only option to do it legally


    b) try to get hired and work for the suppliers as a sub-contractor..? (then i would be under their license to produce them )
    no, you wouldn't. You would be hired to produce FOR them. You selling them on your own as your product would still violate the TM rights.

    c) wear it and just fight crime myself..lol
    that's about it

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    Thanks jk,

    I figured obtaining my own license would prob be my only option if i were to sell them by myself. So even if i were to get hired as a sub-contractor and produce only for them to supply to businesses, that would still be in violation of TM laws..?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    You'd be in violation of Marvel's Trademark and your employment agreement. You would be under your employer's license to produce the costumes ONLY for them, to be sent on to their distributors. Producing and selling them independently would not be covered by your employer's licensing agreement and would without a doubt get you both fired and sued, as companies with such licensing agreements make it very clear that you are not covered by the agreement.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    I see Yes, that makes perfect sense. If i were to go that route i would only produce for the employer and not sell outright myself. here's another question.. would i be able to work for multiple suppliers that also have the license?

    Thanks again for your help LawResearcherMissy it's greatly appreciated

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    You may... but the contracts you sign for the suppliers may limit your ability to cross sell the products as well.

    Marvel has spent close to a billion dollars building this brand... they will come down on you like the wrath of God if you even step a toe into that water.

    One thing you have to keep in mind... they are willing and able to crush you under their heel just to use your case as an example to everyone else thinking about doing something similar. You don't want that pulp on the ground afterward to be you.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Iron Man Costume Replica

    thanks for the reply cyjeff,
    that's definitely food for thought, as i would not want to be the example or the pulp on the ground.

    btw i like that quote-
    All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
    - Mark Twain
    I'm surely confident i can be ignorant at times.. )

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