It may seem harmless: a bead shaped like a cute Disney character or featuring a print of, for example, Superman. Yet, you’re not allowed to sell beads featuring copyrighted characters. This applies not only to big names like Disney, Marvel, or the Avengers, but also to copies of other sellers’ unique designs.
What is copyright, exactly?
Copyright protects creators’ creative work. This means that anyone who has created a unique character, print, or design has the right to decide who can use and sell that design. This applies to cartoon characters and logos, but also to specially designed beads and accessories.
Copyright protects creators’ creative work. This means that anyone who has created a unique character, print, or design has the right to decide who can use and sell that design. This applies to cartoon characters and logos, but also to specially designed beads and accessories.
Which beads can’t you sell?
Beads featuring well-known characters such as Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Elsa, Spider-Man, Miffy, or the Minions cannot be sold without official permission (and small businesses almost never have it). But designs by other bead makers are protected too. See a special design in another shop or on social media? You can’t just copy it or resell it.
Beads featuring well-known characters such as Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Elsa, Spider-Man, Miffy, or the Minions cannot be sold without official permission (and small businesses almost never have it). But designs by other bead makers are protected too. See a special design in another shop or on social media? You can’t just copy it or resell it.
Why is this important?
If you sell copyrighted beads anyway, you could receive a warning or even a hefty fine. Major brands and designers actively protect their work, and the risk simply isn’t worth it. That’s why I enjoy creating my own unique designs. It’s much more fun, too!
If you sell copyrighted beads anyway, you could receive a warning or even a hefty fine. Major brands and designers actively protect their work, and the risk simply isn’t worth it. That’s why I enjoy creating my own unique designs. It’s much more fun, too!
It’s not always clear...
It’s not always clear what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to copyright. I’ve been caught out too: I once bought some really cute off-road vehicle beads, which turned out to look too much like a well-known Jeep because of the distinctive stripes on the “grille.” Sometimes figures from movies I’ve never even heard of are copied, or it turns out that other makers’ designs have been copied without my knowing.
Because I like to stay true to myself and offer unique designs, I try to look at other bead sellers as little as possible. That way, I know for sure I won’t unconsciously copy someone else.
Sometimes I deliberately choose to stock original beads from other designers. For example, the little flower pots (yes, that really is a protected design – and in the Netherlands and Belgium, I’m the only one who sells the original) and beads from Cara & Co. They may cost more to buy than the many copies out there, but I think it’s important to be honest. I wouldn’t like it either if my own designs were copied and sold everywhere!
What is allowed?
If you buy your own designs from the designer (or an official reseller), you can of course use them in, for example, pacifier clips that you make and sell. That’s exactly why I create all those lovely designs! Fortunately, there are plenty of beads and designs that aren’t copyrighted, or were specifically designed for free use. By using these beads, you can be sure you’re in the clear and sell your creations with peace of mind.
Sometimes I deliberately choose to stock original beads from other designers. For example, the little flower pots (yes, that really is a protected design – and in the Netherlands and Belgium, I’m the only one who sells the original) and beads from Cara & Co. They may cost more to buy than the many copies out there, but I think it’s important to be honest. I wouldn’t like it either if my own designs were copied and sold everywhere!
What is allowed?
If you buy your own designs from the designer (or an official reseller), you can of course use them in, for example, pacifier clips that you make and sell. That’s exactly why I create all those lovely designs! Fortunately, there are plenty of beads and designs that aren’t copyrighted, or were specifically designed for free use. By using these beads, you can be sure you’re in the clear and sell your creations with peace of mind.
Do you have questions about which beads you’re allowed to sell? Feel free to send me a message – I’m happy to help!