starting a new business ....I see a lot of decorators are using many copyrighted characters ( and doing a beautiful job by the way!!!!) I would like to know how to get permission to use these or what the restrictions are
thanks for you help

what do you mean by characters?

Hi and Welcome to CC, tncakegirl.

Decoding CC acronyms:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926-.html

The Wilton copyright characters pans are licensed for home (personal) use only. There are many hobby bakers on CC - not everyone is in the business of selling cakes!

Requesting permission to reproduce copyright images (not Wilton):

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-628525-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-628659-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-625796-.html

Copyright infingement:

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-623547-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-618237-.html

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-617528-.html

HTH

The only legal way to use copyrighted characters is to make the cake in matching colors and have the customer buy one of the licensed kits to place on the cake, or they can add their own store bought official characters. Most of the character cakes you see on here were done for personal use and not to sell. I am not sure of the exact procedure to be able to sell a licensed character cake but I do know it is a lot of hassle and money! Especially for anything Disney.

For colleges with logos, sports teams, etc., you can probably call their public relations departments and ask what their policies are. For the biggies like Disney and Nickelodeon, don't hold your breath. I wrote Nick once out of curiosity and they said no way no how on using their characters. The local colleges around here are more lenient for cakes for alumni, but you'll have to check each one individually.

I received clearance today to make a groom's cake based on a copyright theme. It was a letter from their legal department. It's a one time only release for this cake. Knowing what I have learned on CC, I won't make and sell any cake protected by copyright...without permission. It's just too risky.

Guess what? After going through all the hassle to get permission (calls/faxes, etc), the bride backed out!!! I'm keeping the release just incase someone else requests the same theme. From now on, t he customer can make the calls.

That would be the ever so talented (and dashingly good looking)
John Barrowman. He recently married his longtime boyfriend, but I don't care... he's still gorgeous!