The words hocus pocus are not trademarked as far as my research. Maybe it is because the words were used in conjunction with images that were too similar to the characters or something related to the movie? Or maybe it was actually some other tag that flagged it. I have gotten designs taken down that were mine and I had proof and the email said that the image was in question, but in actuality it turned out to be a tag that I used so that first email is not always accurate in why they took the design down. I also had all designs taken down that used some of my hand painted floral elements that used the words "good vibes" and it turned out that the words were the violation and are only a violation if they are on clothing products because a clothing brand trademarked them, but they are ok on other products. I had the words on shirts and facemasks so they were gone.
There is no way to actively fix the situation, because it is a case by case situation and Zazzle's policy of taking things down the way they do isn't going to be changed. The only thing you can do is keep pressing for details and I have had all but a handful of products that were taken down restored, thankfully. Even when we try to be vigilant there seems to be something -usually what seems like a common word or phrase- that trips us up and we get caught in the net unawares.
On 9/15 I replied to your post:
Here's trademark info again:
Hocus Pocus
<https://trademarks.justia.com/851/35/hocus-85135472.html>
The Godfather--
<https://trademarks.justia.com/787/57/the-78757523.html>
To help you understand about The Godfather image--
Placing the Godfather image next to your image, in court you would have big problems, too much similarity,re confusion of brand.
The same exact font, Flipping the d to a b, changing the G to an L, and the hand is exactly the same.
You can let Z protect you, or deal with Paramount in court,.
FYI----Paramount has gained the rights to make more Godfather films.
Report the violations that you find in search
Unfortunately, I have just had the same problem. I even specifically chose a graphic without the puppet hands because I thought this was too close. I didn't see you had this problem until just now after my items were pulled down and I came to the forum and typed in "parody."
Like you, there are multiple other graphics and products that are way closer than mine to the original. Additionally, I'm a little upset about how things occurred.
When I saw the email from support this morning, I wrote back because I thought I found the problem: I had a tag under one product (a hand towel) that said "grillmaster." I remembered seeing designs with this wording, so I thought maybe it would be a good tag. So I googled the term and found that Sunbeam has a product of the same name. I tried to change it to two words or even delete it, but I think it must have been locked because I couldn't do so.
I then wrote and asked if this was the issue and told them I proactively went through and checked all the other products that used the graphic and made sure I hadn't used this tag. I let them know as well that I had permission to use the graphic from the original artist through Creative Fabrica. In the same email, I also asked if I should remove the other products.
I received an email back later today that said Paramount had complained. I wrote back again to ask if I should remove the rest and informed them that many other designers had products up with this parody. I told them as well that I think it should fall under the parody protection as it clearly plays on the words and does not threaten or portray the original in any sort of negative light.
After emailing, I went to hide the products until I heard back, only to find they had all been deleted. 😞
I have now gone on to social media and eliminated all the links I had created to try to advertise the collection where this product was listed.
I am also now wondering if I should pull down all of my "Super Daddio" items. Sigh.
