Your Trademark and Copyright Questions Answered by an IP Lawyer
- Last updated on: November 24, 2025
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Laura Winston, Principal and Chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Offit Kurman answers your questions on common trademark and copyright issues Etsy sellers face.
Note: This is not legal advice. Please review your own situation with professionals.
Questions covered:
- How do I search on the USPTO website and understand the results?
- Is the word FRIENDSGIVING trademarked?
- Can I use a song title on a t-shirt or baby shower bundle of products?
- What about song lyrics?
- How about an illustration of a famous pop star?
- Is parody on a song title allowed?
- What about a t-shirt that says “In my Swiftie era”?
- Trivia games – can you use the names of songs? Artists? Candies?
- Can you use a picture of a candy to show how a printable works with that candy?
- Can you sell reproductions of vintage art?
- Let’s talk about Winnie the Pooh. Can I use this image in my product?
- Can I copyright my printable?
- What if something is trademarked in one country and I live in a different country?
- Someone copied my printable…but it doesn’t look like it exactly…what do I do?
- Should I be using legal templates that I can purchase on the internet?
- How can I be sure an artwork is in the public domain?
If listeners need further advice on trademark and copyright issues, they can contact Laura at lwinston@offitkurman.com or connect on LinkedIn
Watch the Episode on YouTube.
Chelsea Shelton
Chelsea has over 13,000 sales in her Etsy shop and sells on Teachers Pay Teachers too! In her own words, “I wanted to have a creative outlet when I wasn’t spending time with my kids. I never knew that I would have so much success in a short time and pursuing my business as a full-time thing! I love all things printables and creating and cannot wait to help others be successful with their Etsy shops too!”
Read more →
Chelsea Shelton
Chelsea has over 13,000 sales in her Etsy shop and sells on Teachers Pay Teachers too! In her own words, “I wanted to have a creative outlet when I wasn’t spending time with my kids. I never knew that I would have so much success in a short time and pursuing my business as a full-time thing! I love all things printables and creating and cannot wait to help others be successful with their Etsy shops too!”
Read More →
