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vitalisb59026734
vitalisb59026734
Participant
May 25, 2020
Answered

License

  • May 25, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 1816 views

Hello. I want to start small business - poster design and Print-on-Demand service, I imagine approximately 10-15 sells per month. I want to buy 5-7 photos of English Premierleague footballers per month. Is that possible? If yes, what kind of license do I need. Or maybe I need credits. How much does it cost? Thanks

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Correct answer Test Screen Name

If you create original art of an unrecognisable footballer, in a completely original team strip, with no logos, and don't mention any clubs or league names you may avoid hearing from lawyers. There is so much different IP you are dealing with here, every one of which has teams of lawyers, both from the original license holder and from those who negotiated exclusive rights:

- The likeness of the footballer (you also would need a model release from the player)

- The design of the kit

- The individual trademarked logos and designs on the kit

- The name of the player, the team, the league

- The ball is probably also recognisable

The fact is, if you come with a great idea for making money from something or someone that's already popular, then all you will get is lawyer's bills. And in choosing football you have chosen one of the most popular areas, and most enthusiastically protected. If you make something, without rights, they MUST sue you, no matter how small you are, to protect their rights (this is how UK law works, people tell me).

2 replies

Abambo
Community Expert
AbamboCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 25, 2020

As Test_screen_Name says: It's not available as a "small" business model. There is a reason why TV stations pay huge sums to get exclusives, companies in merchandising pay huge sums just to be able to use the logo on their 2 cents key holder or spoon.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
    vitalisb59026734
    vitalisb59026734Author
    Participant
    May 25, 2020

    thanks for answers. already started thinking smth else 🙂

      Abambo
      Community Expert
      AbamboCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      May 25, 2020

      Great! Good luck!

      ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
      T
      Test Screen Name
      Legend
      May 25, 2020

      So far as I know Adobe Stock don't license photos of English Premiere League footballers. If they do, you will need an enhanced license because the image is the product in this case. You should be aware that mentioning the English Premiere League, or using club or League logos, or mentioning footballers by name, or running any images in team kit, will need further licenses from the Premiere Leagure, or clubs, or other license holders. I suspect they work with chosen merchandising partners. I can't see that this is a viable model for a small business unless you have found a specific discussion of this from the League; I suspect big print players have exclusive agreements costing millions. Don't try to ignore the licensing needs though, legal action would be swift and expensive; you should have detailed discussions with an IP lawyer before you start.

        vitalisb59026734
        vitalisb59026734Author
        Participant
        May 25, 2020

        Thank you for answer, though I dont like it 🙂

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