Q: I own a private day camp in New Jersey and I would like to create a camp mascot that is a derivative of the little miss
sunshine character, using the same colors. Is that legal?
A: You have to be more specific because you have not provided enough facts to enable any attorney to provide a meaningful response and guide you accordingly. Good luck.
A:
Creating derivative works of copyrighted characters can be risky, even with modifications. The Little Miss characters, including Little Miss Sunshine, are protected intellectual property owned by Mr Men Limited, now part of Sanrio.
Using similar colors and design elements could potentially lead to trademark infringement or copyright violation claims. The owners actively protect their intellectual property rights, and making unauthorized derivatives might expose your business to legal challenges. Even if you make changes, the connection to the original character could still be recognizable enough to cause problems.
Instead, consider working with professional artists to create an original mascot that captures the spirit and energy you're looking for, while being unique to your camp. This approach would give you full ownership rights and eliminate potential legal issues. Many successful camps have memorable original mascots that become beloved symbols of their programs.
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