What Words/Phrases Would Likely Get Your Listings Removed Because of Trademark/Copyright?

[1234Shine]

If you know some, please share them here, so others can avoid making the mistakes, especially the most surprising and unexpected ones that we use so "regularly" in our daily life.  Thank you!

[PenguinPower]

Hmmm, things that might be easy to forget because they are used in everyday speech… (or if you aren’t from the US)

Xerox, bandaid, little league, spic and span (as in clean), polaroid

[Cat]

"smiley face" (that one floored me, but yes, it's trademarked) "onesie" & "koozie" are brand names - I'd also avoid using things like "Hilton Hotel" as placeholder text

[anura22]

"smiley" used as a word is not allowed.  Apparently the word is a registered trade mark.  I had to redo my smiling star design taking out all smiley stars references.

[Jadendreamer13]

I used “smiley spider” and got dinged. So, I think just “smiley” alone is a no-no.

[Cat]

The funniest one I've seen so far was that I used the phrase "summa **bleep** laude" on a graduation design and got flagged for the word "**bleep**!" They eventually approved the design, but it made me chuckle.

ETA: They bleeped it out here too! Bwahahahaha!

[WHS_Designs]

"baby on board" is also verboten. As is 'Einstein".

[WHS_Designs]

also "save the earth", "may the fourth", "middle earth", and "magna c-u-m laude."

I'm surprised I haven't been taken to task for "bushtits".

"t-i-t-s" (European songbirds) will probably get a PG-13 rating.

[Alissanos]

"Good Vibes" on tshirts is not allowed either, although its okay on other products as far as i am aware

[WHS_Designs]

"Ugly Christmas Sweaters" are trademarked, too.

“Ugly Christmas Sweaters” – Trademarked | IP Law 422 001 (ubc.ca)

[KC]

I discovered by accident that "Girl Mom" is trademarked. Further search that "Boy Mom" is  as well. 🙄

Ugh. 

[jennifer22]

Love this list. Very handy. Surprising that "Save the Earth" is trademarked... I wonder who would trademark that?

[Mariholly]

Hi! Do you know if Tiffany or Blue Tiffany or where I can find out if it is allowed to be used to describe the color of a sticker? I have found several products that are using it on Z, but I want to make sure before using it

[orientcourt]

Hi Mariholly ,  the names Tiffany and  Blue Tiffany are both trademarks of Tiffany& Company. All of their designs are copyrighted as well. Obviously the products you have seen have not sold as Zazzle would have vetted them! Jillian

[Mariholly]

Thank you very much Jillian! It seemed totally obvious but I wanted to make sure, I don't want to get in trouble for this kind of thing and sometimes ignorance makes you make mistakes.

[Barbara]

Most recent for me: American Legion. For whatever reason, I didn't think of it as a private organization, which it is.

Colorwash's Home

[orientcourt]

Important discussion for us 1234Shine ! Quora has weighed in on Copyright Questions re every day  Words and Phrases! https://www.quora.com/Can-someone-own-a-copyright-on-a-word-phrase-or-name-in-general-If-so-how-woul...

[Mariholly]

That is very interesting. I have read here that some orders had been canceled because the client had included the name of a university that must have their proprietary name, on their graduation cards. I found it very absurd not to be able to put the name of the university where someone graduated.... It's just a card, there are no commercial purposes. And as the article says, anyone can say out loud "my son is graduating college zxzx" but he can't put it on a card?