Invitation Question concerning location of event...

[PacifierCity]

I get that when we build a template that we put a fake location in the address field.  But when a customer personalizes the invite and the party they are holding is at Paul's House of Pizza, or some other place that actually exists, how is that handled?

Is using a name of a real business a copyright issue?  Does the party host have to get written permission from the business to be able to place said business's name on invitations sold/produced via Zazzle?

As I am finally starting to make my first invitation, go me, this is something that popped into my head.  With the one I am designing, it will most likely be held at someone's home, so this question will not slow me down, but it is something I am curious about.

Thanks in advance,

PC

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[PenguinPower · Accepted solution]

Using a real business name in this manner is not a violation of copyright or trademark.... Both of these violations generally come about when it's commerce - when you are trying to sell something.

For example - let's say I paint murals - I can paint a Disney princess mural on my own child's wall... I cannot however offer to paint one on my neighbor's child's wall for money... 

Similarly for trademarks, you can use a trademarked name as long as you aren't creating confusion as to the origin of goods or services, diluting a trademark (using a trademark such as Google, Band-aid or Xerox in a way that makes it more generic - lets say I wrote a book... I can talk about how my characters are at a NY Mets baseball game no problem, but I might get a nasty gram if I say Joe went to go xerox something) or defaming the brand. So... as far as using the name of a business goes - putting it on an invitation is fine. 

Now... as far as your products go and placeholders... it's still best to stick to completely made up things here. Better safe than sorry.. 

[PacifierCity]

@PenguinPowerThank you.  That makes perfect sense.

PC

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[Windy]

Just to interject, I simply cannot fathom the case where a restaurant sues you and the person holding the event there, because your invitation directed people where to go and spend their money. LOL!

[asheridan4]

Just a head's up, I had some graduation yard signs and garden flags published here. I used a public university name for the placeholder text, and Zazzle removed those products because of it.