I did a search for it and I couldn't find anything on it. Are we legally allowed to sell Michael Buble merchandise? I have a bunch of great ideas for merchandise and the resources to make it happen, but I want to make sure I am not infringing on any of Michael's or Warner Bros. rights.

If anyone knows the answer to this, that would be great. Thanks!

Tommy Marshall
Founder of Bublenation.com

Okie dokie. That makes sense. Thanks a bunch for the responses, vegi.

Also, here is the link to the folder with free music downloads for all his songs: http://www.michael-buble-fan-magazine.com/Music/

If you click on "Lyrics" then on a song title, you will see below the lyrics is a link to that whole song. I'm sorry to see the owner hasn't taken it down. Thanks again,

Tommy

quote:

Originally posted by Bublenation.com:
I did a search for it and I couldn't find anything on it. Are we legally allowed to sell Michael Buble merchandise? I have a bunch of great ideas for merchandise and the resources to make it happen, but I want to make sure I am not infringing on any of Michael's or Warner Bros. rights.

If anyone knows the answer to this, that would be great. Thanks!

Tommy Marshall
Founder of Bublenation.com

this is an easy one. ABSOLUTELY NOT. An artist's name and image are very important assets to them, and they have the ethical and legal rights to control them and how they are used. You need permission from the artist and his team and if they choose to, you would contract for a licensing agreement where the artist gets a substantial percentage. But realistically you are unlikely to get any sort of licensing agreement.

Licensing deals are big business and before you even approach an artist you will need a good plan, product design,.... AND require a business attorney to make sure you have all your appropriate business licenses and to review any contracts. There are a lot of companies that are competing to do business with popular artists. There is too much at stake for an artist to risk his name and image on a start-up company. In addition to seeing that you've done all your homework, you'll need to show you have the business experience and track record to make this a successful venture for the artist. Of course, you would also need to have verifiable sufficient financial resources to start and run this business and manufacture product.

You need legal agreements in writing with everyone who has rights. For example, even the photo you are using in your sig is a copyright violation unless you have prior written consent from the copyright holder.

So the bottom line is that an artist works hard to create a name for themselves and so has the right to decide how his name and image are to be used... and who will make money from their image and name. That's only fair. Others can't legally produce merch without permission. Certainly people do so without permission, but then, people get prosecuted every day too. Michael has a very savvy business team looking out for him. This probably isn't the answer you were hoping for, but licensing and rights are serious legal and financial matters.

That makes sense.

One more quick question. Are the owners of http://www.michael-buble-fan-magazine.com/...erchandise.html is breaking the law or do they have permission from Michael? I saw that they also have most all of Michael's songs available for download...free.

I contacted Bruce Allen and have yet to hear a response.

I'm not sure but I don't think so. You might want to contact his Management Team (Bruce Allen) and check with them. Or Vegi might be able to direct you.

quote:

Originally posted by Bublenation.com:
That makes sense.

One more quick question. Are the owners of http://www.michael-buble-fan-magazine.com/...erchandise.html is breaking the law or do they have permission from Michael? I saw that they also have most all of Michael's songs available for download...free.

I contacted Bruce Allen and have yet to hear a response.

no, they DON'T have permission to sell the merch. it's come up before with them so I'm sorry to see they are still making money off of Michael.... I must have missed the links for free music downloads; the one I clicked on was to iTunes, a pay site. Any links anywhere to "free" music downloads are bad news.

"For example, even the photo you are using in your sig is a copyright violation unless you have prior written consent from the copyright holder. "

Vegi,
One question, the pics I have on here and on my MySpace are ones that I myself took. Does that make me the copyright holder? I'm a little fuzzy on that one.

Thanks again for doing your best to keep us all honest...

Have a great week.

Thanks... Yes, unless you have some sort of "work for hire" contractual arrangement prior to your taking a photograph, you are the copyright holder for the photos you take. Photos are copyrighted and protected from the moment of creation. You don't have to register them or be a "professional" to be protected. Even "snapshots" of the family dog are copyrighted!

In regards to merchandise being sold at the Michael Bublé Fan Magazine, it all used to be referred to as 'Bublé Babe Official Merchandise' until Michael's management contacted the site manager and informed her she could not use the term 'official' nor could she sell the merchandise.

She then reduced the price of the items in order for them to sell more quickly, but that to me still seems to be exactly the same, she's just selling the merchandise cheaper.

Someone using Michael's name without permission to sell merch and then continues to do so even after told by Michael's management to stop? FAN is the last word I would use.

Vegi

I mean "Congratulations". EXCELLENT, its answer and explanation. To be sincere... I surprise the consultation much to me... On the other hand Vegui, lamentably are many sites that commercialize our artist, this is VERY LABORIOUS, because they do that without approval. Fortunately, Michael has without a doubt, the best equipment, never as now I found an Artist so well-taken care of. But... even so, with progress second a second of Internet, always something will escape to the control. . .

Vegui Thanks!!!

Does anyone know if MB bumper stickers are sold anywhere? I'd love one to say: Caution: Driver singing along to Michael Buble
Singtenor