Selling cosplay can be a great way to make some extra money, but there are some potential legal issues you need to be aware of. In this article, we’ll talk about what those issues are, and how some people are trying to get around them. We’ll also give you some things to consider if you’re thinking about selling your cosplay creations!
Can I sell cosplay?
So, can you sell cosplay? The answer is maybe. It depends on how you do it, and what you’re selling. If you’re careful about the legal issues, then you can probably sell cosplay without any problems. But if you’re not careful, then you could get into some serious trouble!
Cosplay is often based on copyrighted characters, and selling products based on those characters can be a violation of copyright law. In some cases, it can also be a trademark infringement.
Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about selling your cosplay creations:
- Make sure you understand the legal issues involved: This is the most important thing to consider if you’re thinking about selling cosplay. You need to make sure that you’re not going to violate any copyright or trademark laws. Do some research, and talk to a lawyer if you’re not sure about something.
- Pick your characters carefully: Not all characters are created equal when it comes to cosplay. Some characters are more popular than others, and some are more likely to be the subject of legal action. If you’re not sure about a character, it’s probably best to avoid using them in your cosplay creations.
- Be careful about how you sell your cosplay: If you’re selling cosplay online, make sure you’re not using any copyrighted images or trademarks without permission. In general, it’s best to avoid using anyone else’s intellectual property in your cosplay creations, unless you have their permission.
- Get permission: If you’re planning on selling cosplay products that include someone else’s intellectual property, it’s a good idea to get their permission first. This can help you avoid any legal problems down the road.
Selling cosplay can be a great way to make some extra money, but you need to be careful about the legal issues involved. Just be sure to do your research and understand the risks involved!
What cosplay can I sell?
If you’re thinking about selling your cosplay, there are a few things you need to consider. First, you need to make sure that you’re not violating any copyright laws. Second, you need to decide what kind of product you want to sell. Are you going to sell full costumes? Accessories? Both?
Fans who are making their own costumes may be having trouble with a certain part, such as a prop or accessory. They can find comfort and a helping hand from someone who has gone through the same thing and can offer support, or be able to manufacture the tricky bit and make it available for sale.
Perhaps you have a 3D printer, and you can manufacture an ornate finial for a staff. Or you know how to make silicon molds and cast resin items. You could safely manufacture and sell generic components for use in a handmade costume, just like a haberdashery or hardware store does. In this sense you would be crafting a generic piece that may not be otherwise available to an unskilled cosplayer, or one who does not have the necessary hardware at home.
What you can’t do without permission is recreate designs that don’t belong to you or take 3D models / textures out of games, then sell those. That’s when you start to get into legal hot water.
How can I sell cosplay?
There are a few different ways to sell cosplay. You can sell it online, at conventions, or through private commissions. Each of these has different legal implications that you need to be aware of.
Selling cosplay online is probably the easiest way to do it. There are a few different ways to sell online, but the most common is through sites like Etsy or eBay. When selling online you’ll be easy to find, so you need to be careful about how you’re using characters in your products. For example, you can’t sell shirts with logos of copyrighted characters without permission from the copyright holder.
Selling cosplay at conventions can be a great way to get exposure for your business, but you’ll need to be aware of the rules of the convention you’re selling at. Some conventions have rules about what can be shown on your stand, and what can be sold. For example, some conventions don’t allow the sale of items that are based on copyrighted characters.
Private commissions can be a great way to sell cosplay-related products, but you’ll still need to be careful about how you’re using characters and props. Just because someone asks you to make them a product doesn’t mean that you have the right to use it in a way that violates copyright law.
But X person is selling cosplay, why can’t I?
There are a few ways that people try to get around these legal issues. These include:
- Only selling handmade items that aren’t ‘screen accurate’, so they could possibly be interpreted as a unique creation rather than a replica.
- Selling items that are based on original characters. This means they actually own the copyright, so they have the right to sell their creation.
- Getting permission from the copyright holders. It is possible that the seller does actually have permission!
- Setting up their business as a “non-profit”. This can be tricky, because if you’re making a profit from your cosplay sales, then you’re not really a non-profit. Just because you’re not making profit, doesn’t absolve you of legal responsibility.
Just because someone else is doing it, doesn’t mean that it’s legal. If you’re unsure about something, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get some professional advice.
Bottom line – can you sell cosplay?
The bottom line is that yes, you can sell general costumes and props, but products based on copyrighted characters without permission from the copyright holder is illegal in most places. If you’re unsure about something, it’s always best to get some professional advice before going ahead with it.
This article was written for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult a lawyer.