DC Comics To Prosecute Tattoos
In a startling move to control images of their copyrighted characters, lawyers for Warner Bros Entertainment, parent company of DC Comics, have begun issuing cease and desist orders to fans sporting tattoos featuring DC characters. While walking the floor of last month’s C2E2 in Chicago, several fans were handed official looking documents citing that they were in violation of DC’s copyrights– over their tattoos.
“It is unlicensed artwork. And like any bootlegged material we are going to come down against it. We see it as no different from t-shirt or other paraphernalia” said one of the WB lawyers.
Many comic book conventions, including ReedExpo’s New York Comic Con and C2E2, feature tattoo pavilions showcasing tattooists and their art. Wizard’s Chicago Comic Con has also welcomed tattoo artists onto their floor, encouraging fans to show off their ink or get some at the show.
“I guess I’ll have to wear long-sleeved shirts when I go to cons now” said one fan after getting a c & d order. He is close to finishing a Justice League themed sleeve on his left arm. “I’m not going to stop or get it covered up. It’s how I chose to express myself as a fan!”
This comes at a time when tattoos have become almost accepted in mainstream culture and as comic book movies are big budget blockbusters. And it looks like Warner Brothers has spotted a money making opportunity.
“We will be unveiling a line of official DC Comics Tattoos at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Tattoo shop owners will be able to purchase these pages of tattoo flash for their shops and offer their clientele officially licensed DC Comics artwork.
welcome to hardcore capialism it would be difficult for me as a fan to be able to see myself getting the liscensed tattoos for men from WB kinda ruins the whole self expression
Dude, you do realize this was published April 1…?
ugh that grody scumbag with the supes tattoo should be sued for grossness.
LOL! You GOT me! Great April Fools joke… I actually tweeted this with all kinds of expletives and shit before I reread the date on it… d’oh!
haha now that would be something marvel and Disney would do
They mad if they think we mad…Y U April fool me?
…okay, that totally got me
I think DC stands for “dicks.”
And like most of the licensed imagery, it will be substandard and generic.
April Fool!
Seriously, I’ve never cared about companies being OTT over their content but this is way to fucking far – you created the fucking image and released it into the fucking world, you’re enabling your fucking fans to embrace it. What you’re doing now is nothing short of fucking stupid. Your “fans” are spreading word of your work, their showing their passion for it and you serve them papers? You’re a fucking dick. You’re a fucking idiot cunt. You don’t deserve your own success you fucking dick ass raping piece of money hungry dirt. I’m going to leave right now and start seeding all of your digital work, just so I know I’m helping people steal from you, because having it for “free” isn’t enough.
Would it cause you pain to check my previous comment, and perhaps the original date of this piece?
Next thing you’ll see are cease and desist papers if you do a Cosplay/masquerade of one of their characters . Remember…we still have the upper hand, simply don’t buy the merchandise or see their movies…and then let them know why.
Shoot old april fools article