Dr. Suess Copyright Permission

Business By experimenting Updated 2 Dec 2013 , 10:00pm by th97

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experimenting Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 2:10am
post #1 of 10

Has anyone had luck getting permission to do a Dr. Suess cake?

 

I've sent a request to 2 possible emails with an explanation that it's for Icing Smiles and for a terminally ill child, in hopes that that might sway them to give me permission.

9 replies
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jason_kraft Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 5:35am
post #2 of 10

AI recommend contacting the copyright owner by phone if you aren't hearing back from emails. Susan Brandt is in charge of licensing.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises (858) 459-9744

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experimenting Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 4:22pm
post #3 of 10

Thank you Jason! Much appreciated.

 

Can I ask you a follow up question? I expressed my concern to my IS representative and she said, "...if the baker is willing, we are also willing to accept the risk in order to serve these families. Because volunteers are individuals serving others for no profit, we consider the cake to be for personal use and is of little risk trademark owners would see an organization serving critically-ill children as damaging their trademark. That said, for assurance, we do carry liability insurance that covers us and our volunteers."

 

Does that make is safe for me to do a copyrighted cake without permission?

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jason_kraft Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 5:18pm
post #4 of 10

AGiven IS's position on the matter I wouldn't have a problem using the copyrighted images without permission, but I would still avoid publicly posting images of the cake.

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-K8memphis Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 5:27pm
post #5 of 10

maybe -- but it's not up to icing smiles to determine how dr seuss will proceed if they do proceed with anything imo --

 

and if they are that together then maybe get them to use their clout to get the attention you are requesting --

 

hope that all works out very well green eggs, 5,000 hats & all

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experimenting Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 6:32pm
post #6 of 10

Thank you Jason and K8!

 

I'm going to continue to try to get permission until Thanksgiving, but I've decided to do the cake regardless. I know there's a risk if I don't get permission, but this is an important cake and I want to give the girl what she wants. So, maybe I don't post the photos. That's fine.

 

Thank you both for your input!

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-K8memphis Posted 23 Nov 2013 , 10:55pm
post #7 of 10

dr suess would turn in his grave if his peeps took action --

 

i wish you more than the best in this sweet effort

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experimenting Posted 2 Dec 2013 , 8:50pm
post #8 of 10

I spoke with Susan Brandt and she said as long as no one benefited financially from the cake, then I'm good to go! I'll post the photos soon :) She even asked me to email her the photos so they can share it on their fb page.

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-K8memphis Posted 2 Dec 2013 , 8:52pm
post #9 of 10

yay!!!!

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th97 Posted 2 Dec 2013 , 10:00pm
post #10 of 10

That is excellent news, such a great cause!

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