I'm a newbie on CC and reading all the topics on copyright infringement and I'm getting....what's the word..discouraged! I've been on the internet looking to contact people about their trademarks and licensed characters. Everyone on here is right in their own way. Children love having licensed characters on their cakes. Then again, Disney or whoever it may be, are not getting compensated. What a headache!

There are lots of ways to make a character themed cake w/o violating copyright law.

Here is my "Snoopy" cake: http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1380111 The Snoopy was added by the wedding planner when I deliverd the cake. Originally they wanted a mailbox with "Snoopy" written on it (Sorry, no can do), or instead of "Home" above the door, they wanted "SNoopy" (Sorry, no can do). I made a generic dog house cake, not a "Snoopy" cake.

Here's my Mickey MOuse cake: http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1195400 The plastic MM"s were provided by the mom and placed on the cake by her. I made a sheet cake with a highway going down the middle ... their toys turned it into a micky mouse cake.

A Nemo cake can be an underwater themed cake with the client's plastic toy added afterward. THere are lots of examples of this in the gallery. Here's a couple: http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1567743 and http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1379199

indydebi, you are very clever and creative. Your methods are terrific! Thanks for sharing your wit and wisdom with us.

Michele

indydebi, thank you so much for your input. Indeed you are clever! Thank you so much for sharing! I love being here on CC!

When I did a few character cakes for my kids, I used the toys because that was before classes, and just getting a border on was a real feat! It is a great way to get EXACTLY the figure the child wants.
Not being in business, I hadn't thought about the fact that the cake decorator selling the cake cannot place the characters. Debi, your solution is great.

As long as you aren't selling the cake (i.e. just doing the cake for your own kids or grandkids), it's okay to do the licensed characters.