copyright trademark
Usage of Disney character names
<p>I am opening a small business making t shirts. I want to use the name of a Disney character on one of my designs as well as an image that is something the character holds in the film. I have hand drawn the item and would like a graphic artist to create it based on my drawing, so not using any of Disney's original work. Is there any legal reason I may not be allowed to do this?</p>

<p>Yes, you have named them in the tags: copyright and trademark.</p>

<p>The image you have drawn is a derivative work - only Disney can authorize derivative works.</p>

<p>The name is a Disney trademark - you can use that trademark to refer to and talk about the Disney character. You can't use it in a way that suggests your product has something to do with Disney as you propose.</p>

<p>Oh, and Disney are <em>very</em> diligent in protecting their IP. </p>
