Rhode Island Comic Con is back, and cosplay fans are preparing to bring their favorite characters to life. But what legal rules come into play behind the costumes? Hosts Michael Donnelly-Boylen and Nicole Dyszlewski sit down with attorney and cosplayer Blake Johnson L’21, to explore intellectual property, fair use, and the dos and don’ts of fandom.  Is it legal to dress as a branded character, and what laws are behind it? From copyright rules to fan art, trademark issues, and building creative careers in Rhode Island, this episode explores why cosplayers pour time, effort, and imagination into their costumes. And what the law has to say about it.

Resources

Blake Johnson

https://www.sheehanlawoffice.net/blake

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders v. Scoreboard Posters

https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/dallcowboys-scoreboard-5thcir1979.pdf

Santopietro v. Howell

https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2017/05/24/14-16324.pdf