If at first you don't succeed . . .

[madamesilverspurs]

A while back I introduced a pro-Hillary T-shirt design. It was, to my delight, well received, and there were many urgings that I make it available for Hillary supporters. To that end I began efforts to contact the Hillary campaign, seeking permission to go ahead, or even a simple “no objection” to the design. From the regional director of the victory campaign came the remark that it was “not likely that the campaign would object to seeing the candidate promoted,” and encouraged me to have some made for my use and to share with others locally. For three months I have continued to try to contact someone/anyone in the Clinton campaign. My email to the legal team was finally answered:

Thank you for your support of Hillary for America. We are always looking for new ways to make ourselves more accessible for those who want to be involved in the campaign, and very much appreciate your input and ideas. We will be sure to take your feedback into consideration as we continue expanding our website and outreach.

Please consider signing up to volunteer . . .

So, welcome back to square one. The online store I set up to make the shirts available is unwilling to produce the design without written permission from the campaign, and I completely understand their legal concerns.

That said, respecting the legal parameters is frustrating as all get out, especially when the Hillary logo, like the Obama logo before it, is used on widely available products that are decidedly anti-Democrat. At this point, I can do nothing but shake my head, mildly amused that the frustration itself is completely legal.

Meanwhile, please excuse the large brick-wall imprint on my forehead.



. . .sigh . . .

[qnr]

1. I feel for you, I've been trying to get

permission to use certain things from old companies for years. Apparently, since I hand screen stuff, and only sell about 13-18 items per month on good months (and that's across all designs) - I'm not worthy of their time. I've just gone with using things associated with the companies, and not things that they have trademarks on.

Good luck - I hope it works out for you. It's really silly that they don't just give you permission since you're promoting the campaign.

[TexasBushwhacker]

2. Why not just set it up through CafePress

and donate all or some of the profits to her campaign?

[madamesilverspurs]

3. CafePress

might or might not have the same legal concerns that similar sites exercise. The decision to respect trademark and copyright irrespective of their stance is mine; I won't put it up unless or until the proper permissions are in hand.

I am, of course, still hoping to be able to get those permissions.

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. Did your design use her logo? n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

5. Yep.