Running a print-on-demand business can be fun and profitable-until you get hit with a copyright infringement notice. Just ask SunFrog, a POD company that had to pay $19.2 million to Harley-Davidson for violating copyright laws.
Avoiding copyright issues isn’t just smart-it’s essential to keeping your business alive.
Many print-on-demand sellers rely on basic terms and conditions to stay protected. But in most cases, courts hold the printing company-not the designer-responsible for any violations. The consequences can be serious, affecting both your finances and your reputation.
This guide will show you how to protect your POD business from copyright risks. You’ll learn:
- What copyright infringement really means
- How to check if a design is safe to use
- Tools that help you stay compliant
Let’s dive into how you can avoid copyright problems while growing your POD brand.
What Is Copyright Infringement in Print-on-Demand?
It happens when you use, copy, or sell content that is protected by copyright law-without getting permission from the original creator.
In print-on-demand, this means you cannot print or sell designs that include copyrighted content (like logos, artwork, or characters) unless you have the right license.
Examples of copyrighted content include:
- Illustrations, photos, and paintings
- Slogans, quotes, and book excerpts
- Song lyrics and music
- Movie or TV characters
- Brand logos and symbols
Even if a customer uploads a copyrighted design, you are still legally responsible for printing and selling it.
Important:
- Giving credit or slightly editing a copyrighted work does not protect you.
- You need written permission or a license to use protected content legally.
To stay safe, use original designs or content you’ve licensed for commercial use. This protects your business from lawsuits, account bans, and platform takedowns.
Also Read:
- Unlocking Profit Potential: How Much Money Can Custom Phone Cases Make?
- Print on Demand: Your Complete Beginner's Guide
What are Common Examples of Copyright Infringement in Print-on-Demand Businesses?
In the print-on-demand (POD) industry, copyright infringement often happens in ways that seem harmless. But these small mistakes can lead to serious legal issues.
Here are a few common examples:
- Using popular characters or movie icons: Adding superheroes or famous movie characters to your tech accessories may seem creative-but doing so without permission violates copyright law.
- Printing song lyrics on products: A t-shirt with a well-known lyric needs approval from the copyright owner. This is usually the songwriter or music publisher.
- Using sports team logos or names: You can’t legally use team names, mascots, or emblems on custom items without a license-even if you change the design slightly.
Even minor infringements can result in large fines, legal fees, or account suspensions on major platforms.
1. Copyright
Copyright protects original creative work like artwork, photos, and written content. It stops you from using someone else’s design on products like phone cases or laptop covers without permission.
Copyright is automatic. As soon as someone creates something original, they own the rights to it.
2. Trademarks
Trademarks protect brand identifiers like names, logos, and slogans. For example, you can’t use Apple’s logo or the phrase “Just Do It” on your tech accessories-these are protected trademarks.
Trademarks help customers recognize real products and avoid confusion between brands.
Here are a few well-known trademark examples:
Image via Trademarks Online
3. Patents
Patents protect inventions and new product designs. In print-on-demand, patents are less common-but they can apply if you're creating something original, like a custom phone case or a unique mounting system. A famous example of a patent is Thomas Edison’s design for the lightbulb.
Why does intellectual property matter for your business? How to avoid copyright infringement when building your POD business.
As you create unique designs, you'll want to protect them from being copied by others. Think of intellectual property rights as a two-way street. Just as you need to respect others' IP when creating your products, your original designs deserve protection too.
This becomes especially important as your business grows and your designs gain popularity.
For Podbase sellers focusing on tech accessories, IP considerations come up daily. Whether you're designing custom phone cases, AirPods covers, or MacBook skins, every element of your design needs to be either original or properly licensed. This includes patterns, artwork, quotes, and even fonts in some cases.
Also Read:
- How To Make Printables To Sell Online: And Make Money
- How to Sell Podbase Print-on-Demand Products on Etsy: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Avoid Copyright Infringement in Print-on-Demand
With clear guidelines and the right approach, you can create engaging, profitable designs while staying on the right side of copyright law. Let's explore practical steps on how to avoid copyright infringement to protect your print-on-demand business.
Create Original Designs
Creating original designs is one of the best ways to avoid copyright issues. Here are a few tips to make sure your work stays truly your own:
- Start with fresh ideas: Begin your creative process away from existing designs. Sketch your concepts before browsing other products. This helps prevent unintentional copying.
- Document your process: Keep records of your design journey-like early sketches and drafts. These can help prove your work is original if someone questions it later.
- Focus on your unique style: Highlight what makes your designs stand out. Maybe it’s your use of geometric patterns, minimalist layouts, or bold color combinations. Build your brand around what sets you apart-instead of copying trending designs.
- Create signature templates: Develop templates that reflect your style. This could be how you frame phone case designs or a consistent layout for AirPods covers that becomes your signature look.
For example, this design pattern instantly says “Podbase” and is easily recognized by anyone who knows the brand.
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Use Licensed or Royalty-Free Content
Using external elements in your designs can be helpful-but you need to understand licensing rules to avoid copyright infringement. Here's how to do it the right way:
1. Know the License Types
- Creative Commons – Allows reuse and edits, but rules vary. Some require attribution.
- Commercial licenses – Let you use content in products for sale.
- Limited licenses – May restrict how many items you can produce or where you can sell them.
2. Use Reputable Sources
Choose trusted platforms that offer content with clear, commercial-use licenses. Always check the terms-some require credit or have usage limits.
3. Keep License Records
Maintain detailed records for everything you use, including:
- Purchase receipts
- License terms and usage rights
- Any limits or expiration dates
4. Don't Assume Paid = Commercial Use
Just because you bought a design doesn’t mean you can sell it. Always double-check the license-even for paid content-especially if you plan to use it on products over the long term.
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Perform Trademark and Copyright Checks
Before finalizing any design, conduct thorough checks to ensure you're not accidentally infringing on protected content.
Here's a systematic approach:
- First, search for similar existing designs. Use image search tools to check if your concept is too close to existing products. Pay special attention to designs in your specific print-on-demand niche.
- Check trademark databases for any text or logos in your design. The USPTO database is essential for U.S. trademarks, but remember that trademark protection can be international.
- Document your search process:
- Screenshot your search results
- Note the dates of your searches
- Save your findings in an organized system
- Keep records of any modifications made based on search results
- Set up regular review periods to recheck your existing designs. Trademarks can be filed after you've started selling, so periodic checks help catch potential issues early.
Seek Permissions and Licenses When Needed
Seek permission when you want to use copyrighted content. That’s one strategy on how to avoid copyright infringement.
Here's how to get proper permission:
Start by identifying the correct rights holder. This isn't always obvious-a company might own the rights to an artist's work, or multiple parties might share rights to a single piece of content.
- Write a clear permission request that includes:
- Specific description of the content you want to use
- How you plan to use it (products, quantities, timeframe)
- Your business information
- Proposed compensation, if applicable
Be prepared for negotiations. Rights holders might:
- Request a licensing fee
- Want royalties on sales
- Require specific attribution
- Have conditions about how their content is used
Keep all communication records and final agreements. Make sure you understand any limitations or requirements before proceeding with production.
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Tools and Resources to Ensure Compliance
You'll need the right tools and resources when learning how to avoid copyright infringement. Staying compliant with copyright laws doesn't have to be a manual process.
These tools and resources can help you verify and protect your designs.
Online Tools for Copyright Checks
Reverse Image Search Tools
These help you find similar or identical images online:
- Google Images – Upload your design to check for similar artwork
- TinEye – Detects exact or altered versions of your image
- Bing Visual Search – Provides an alternative method to identify image matches
Trademark Search Resources
Use these to verify brand names, logos, and slogans:
- USPTO – U.S. Patent and Trademark Office search tool
- TMview – Covers registered trademarks across European markets
- WIPO Global Brand Database – Helps with international trademark searches
Copyright Registration Databases
Check if similar content is already registered:
- U.S. Copyright Office Public Catalog – Search U.S. registered works
International copyright registries – Useful if selling outside the U.S.
Design Authentication and Monitoring Tools
These services help you track and protect your visual assets:
- Pixsy – Monitors where your images appear online
- ImageRights – Offers detection and enforcement services
- Berify – Tracks unauthorized use of your designs across the web
Each of these tools plays a specific role in helping you stay compliant. While many are free, premium versions may offer more thorough protection-especially important as your business expands.
Design Resources for Royalty-Free Content
When you need additional design elements, these resources offer legally safe options:
Stock Design Platforms:
- Shutterstock offers extensive commercial-use assets
- Adobe Stock provides high-quality vectors and patterns
- Canva Pro includes licensed elements specifically for POD
Font Resources:
- Adobe Fonts for premium typography options
- FontSquirrel for carefully curated free commercial fonts
- Google Fonts for web-safe, commercial-use typography
Pattern and Texture Libraries:
- Subtle Patterns for background designs
- Pattern Lab for customizable patterns
- Poly Haven for high-resolution textures
That said, before using any resource, always:
- Read the complete license agreement
- Check any attribution requirements
- Verify commercial usage rights
- Save license documentation
- Note any usage limitations
Also Read:
- How to Sell Podbase Print-on-Demand Products on Etsy: Step-by-Step Guide 2025
- +10 Smart Ways to Make Money From Your Phone in 2025
Consequences of Copyright Infringement in Print-on-Demand
According to Visual-AI company VISUA, 70% of print-on-demand companies fail to take proper steps to prevent copyright violations. This relaxed approach can put your entire business at risk.
Legal and Financial Risks
Copyright infringement can lead to serious legal action. In one high-profile case, Harley-Davidson was awarded $19.2 million in damages from a POD company that didn’t properly monitor its website for infringing content.
Even smaller cases can result in:
- Six-figure settlements
- Expensive legal fees
- Permanent damage to your brand’s credibility
Business Operations at Risk
The impact of copyright violations goes beyond the courtroom. It can disrupt every part of your business:
- Loss of trust with customers and suppliers
- Difficulty securing future business partnerships
- Account suspensions from platforms like Etsy or Amazon
- Frozen funds from payment processors
- Forced destruction of infringing inventory
Long-Term Consequences
Copyright violations leave a lasting mark. Court cases are public, which can hurt your reputation for years. Many POD businesses never recover from major infringement claims-making prevention far more valuable than damage control.
Best Practices for Ethical POD Selling
On how to avoid copyright infringement, start by creating a culture of compliance in your print-on-demand business that protects both your company and the creative community.
Here's how to avoid copyright infringement by making ethical practices part of your daily operations:
- Develop a Design Review Process: Create a step-by-step checklist for reviewing new designs before they go live. Include verification steps for artwork, text elements, and overall composition. Make this process mandatory for every new product, no matter how rushed a launch might be. That’s a crucial step to avoid copyright infringement.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of:
- Copyright search results
- Design creation processes
- Source files and inspiration
- License purchases and terms
- Customer design submissions
- Any modifications made to the original designs
- Train Your Team: If you work with other designers or virtual assistants, make sure they understand:
- Basic copyright principles
- Your compliance procedures
- Red flags to watch for
- When to escalate concerns
- How to document their work
- Build Strong Relationships: Partner with original artists for custom collections. This not only ensures compliance but also brings fresh, legitimate content to your store. Likewise, when using licensed content, maintain good relationships with rights holders through clear communication and prompt payments.
- Undertake Regular Audits: Schedule quarterly reviews of your product catalog to check for potential issues and verify that all licenses remain current.
Taking the Next Steps
Starting or running a print-on-demand business comes with responsibilities, but protecting yourself from copyright infringement doesn't have to be overwhelming.
Learning how to avoid copyright infringement is an ongoing process, but with Podbase's tools and support, you can protect your business while creating amazing designs. Start by implementing one or two practices from this guide, then gradually build up your compliance system.
Podbase provides tools and support to help you safely create and sell original designs. Our platform includes built-in features to help you verify your designs and maintain proper documentation. Plus, our support team is here to answer your questions about copyright compliance.
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Saulius Meilutis is the CEO of Podbase, helping creators and entrepreneurs monetize their ideas with print-on-demand. He shares insights on eCommerce, growth, and building lean online businesses.
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