Can I put people's images on t-shirts and sell them? Also, how do I find out what is trademarked?

Question

I am making shirts to sell locally, but I'm not sure what I can and can't do as to printing people's images. An example would be of Mark Mangino who is KU's Football coach. I made a shirt with his image, but what restrictions are there? Can I use the initals K.U. for Kansas University? How do I find all the restrictions and trademarks?

Answer 1

You're going to find that most people of any prominence have trademarked their images and name, which means you have to have their written approval to use either, and that probably means you have to pay for the privilege.

Many states have laws which give the person or their estate control of their image, and if the person lives or died in that state, then the state law supersedes the more limited federal law.  They WILL take you to court if you use the images without permission... Many business, schools, and organizations have done the same with their images, name, and nicknames...

Get permission first... it's cheaper in the long run.