Quetion regarding Pool clothing?

[Snapshot9]

Could a company use the likeness of a Pool great, or their name, on Pool shirts or jackets?

If the person is not living, would they have to get permission from the family, and pay roylaities to the family, or could they just go ahead?

If the person is alive, would they have to enter into a contract for royalties for the player?

What if the likeness was just a caricature? Would it be handled differently?

 

[Ky Boy]

dunno!!

Could a company use the likeness of a Pool great, or their name, on Pool shirts or jackets?

If the person is not living, would they have to get permission from the family, and pay roylaities to the family, or could they just go ahead?

If the person is alive, would they have to enter into a contract for royalties for the player?

What if the likeness was just a caricature? Would it be handled differently?

IMO, (which is by no means a legal one) You would need to get permission from anyone, living or not, to use their name to gain a profit. If they are not living you would need to get permission from the executor of the estate. And at any rate whether it is needed or not it could save a big headache later down the road.

 

[cuechick]

Actually if it is a public figure and a drawing of them, then it is probably the artist that must must be compensated. Though I too am not positive. For years mechandice of famous icons such as Marylin and Elvis has been marketed. I know their estates have some control over this esp with photos but I am would think that when it comes to something like you described that would be near impossible.
I am sure there has been some of Hirschfelds work marketed and I doubt any of that money goes to the subjects of his work?

 

[acedotcom]

Another non-lawyer reporting. I think if it's an old timer like Ralph Greenleaf or Welker Cochran or even that old pool player Mark Twain you can use their image. For current players or those active in the last 50 years, I'd try to get permission.

I don't know if this applies, but I found this regarding the copyrighting of paintings:

Paintings do have copyright protection. Depending on when the painting was created, the length of copyright protection varies. Vincent Van Gogh died in 1890. Because of the age of his paintings, and applying copyright laws in effect at the time, his work is now considered in the public domain. In fact, it is very easy to locate companies that specialize in reproductions of many of the "old masters" works. The companies commonly advertise that their artists have studied and are trained in the style of the masters and use similar materials for the reproductions.

Yes, you may reproduce the paintings of Van Gogh... Just don't claim it as original art.