What are the rules of using inlay images from defunct casinos? (1 Viewer)

[Psypher1000]

I know I've seen Stardust labels created in $.25 denoms. Did someone have to reach out to the copyright owner on that for permission? Or, if I wanted to have Empress inlays created with a different denom, is that just free game since they went under? I know a little bit about IP rights persistence/transmission after an individual passes, but I don't know anything about what happens to them after an enterprise goes under.

 

[Quicksilver-75]

Good question. I know with some ie: the Vineyard casino, the logo is still protected. As such no new commems were made because the owner wanted a pound of flesh to use it. I don't think it's a huge issue but some vendors may get squirmy. Probably best to message them directly (and quietly)

 

[pltrgyst]

Your primary concern should be US trademarks, because trademark holders generally have deep pockets, and they are required by law to protect their trademarks, or they become void. You can search for trademarks on the USPTO Web site, www.uspto.gov, but searching is a bit of an art. You might note that in many cases, trademarks of defunct casinos are held by parent companies and are still active.

Your secondary concern should be the copyright automatically held by anyone who creates a graphic work, which expires 70 years after the author's death. If that copyright has been registered with the Library of Congress, then you need to tread extra carefully, because penalties can be much more severe than otherwise.