Can I buy a copyrighted product, make changes to it and resell it?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can I buy a copyrighted product, make changes to it and resell it?
Asked on October 14, 2012 under Business Law, Ohio
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You can make physical changes to the actual copy/item you buy and resell (though if you imply that you own the content, are the source of the content, are connected to original company in some way, etc., you may be infringing trademark or committing unfair competition, even if you are not violating copyright per se). However, you cannot modify the content, or reproduce/copy the content, even if modified.
Example: you buy a CD of Pink's latest album: you can put it into a new package, include liner notes which you wrote, include some other item (a pink headband?) with it, and resell, as long as you make it clear you are not affiliated with Pink or her record label. But you cannot modify the music, since that is what copyright protects.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.