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Question: Help with greeting card business start up?

(Posted by: EL on 2010-07-12 06:55:20)

I am seriously considering starting up my own greeting card line. I am currently doing research online and at local retailers to understand the market further. Where I am stuck is where can I locate guidelines/ tips to search for already copyrighted work to ensure that I (1) don't duplicate cards that are already on the market and (2) save my work from being pirated? Any help/ direction is appreciated!

Posted by: blacksockbandit on 2010-07-15, 14:22:20

The link below has lots of information on copyrights, on fair use, and on protecting your own material. Don't be too overwhelmed by it all. It's not that hard to copyright your stuff. And with your greeting cards, you'll be able to copyright in batches (most likely) making it very, very affordable to protect your rights to your work.

Posted by: flingebunt on 2010-07-13, 22:57:16

Like many people are you confused by copyright law. Firstly, no one will care if you breach their copyright if you are not making much money. If you accidently duplicate someone else's card you will get a warning letter. You write an apology and promise never to do it again. Your own cards, well you just create original artwork. It is automatically protected. But you should register your business name and also your logo (most logos are not actually registered, but if it is integral to your designs, then you should do it) if you are creating cartoon characters then they could also be registered. but really, you just want to go ahead and do it. Most businesses fail, so if better to focus on trying to succeed than protecting yourself. If you are successful you can do all those minor things later.

Posted by: kemperk on 2010-07-15, 21:02:08

A; write a biz plan b; go to the library and take out books on small biz and entrepreneurship c; get back to me