things you can't use on zazzle! :)

since there seems to be no comprehensive list there of protected words,phrases n stuff,i thought i'd bite the bullet and try to start one of known ones.if you know of more,feel free to add on this thread.as people get "copywrited","registered" and "trademarked"
often confused,for the sense of continuity,i'm using the word "owns/owned" here.

i'm not listing everything of course,some should be obvious,refer to zazzle's usage help and or US trademark office.zazzle has the final say on these things,ask them if you have questions.
(note:i do not use any of the below,i'm just trying to help people.)

tribute to so-and-so items
usually not a good idea.sometimes even if you have the best intentions,the artist/band/estate/company may not agree with you.

example-michael jackson.
"1958-2009" "dancing silhouette" "fedora hat" "MJ" or "glove" are immedietly recognizable as representing him especially in combination.
even if not owned,the question of "product deception" type suits may come up.i wouldn't suggest doing it.

example 2-MLK (martin luther king).
respect the man,but maketh not the t-shirt.his family doesn't like it.
and i can't say i blame them..it is their right to make or not make one.

kiss(band)
the band name logo and makeup are owned by them.
gene simmons' lawyers will eat you for lunch.don't do it.
kiss already has a zazzle store of their own.

moneybag emblem with dollar sign having 2 lines through it
owned by gene simmons'.i shit you not.

go green
somebody now owns it.

caution and or caution!
somebody owns this.

symbols,emblems and keywords pertaining to US marine corps
owned.although i have heard pre/WW2 gov't issued vintage posters are ok as in the public domain?
i would still check first.

save the earth
i believe this phrase is now owned.

sweet pea
a store owner had a problem with this awhile back.i think a food company may own it.

life is a beach
pretty sure this is now owned by somebody.

twilight anything
don't do it,i warned you.CP'ers i think have limited granted rights,but CP is not zazzle.keywords such as "twilight","vampire","bites","sucks" and probably even "sparkles" seem to be getting people reported even when not related to anything to do with the movie/book.
(i bet people with pictures of sparkling twilight sunsets must be bumming..)

pseudo swastikas
if you use this at all in the non-germanic sense as the buddhist/tibetans and some native american tribes have one similar,i would highly suggest you note that on your
description or it will most likely be reported.
if you try to use the nazi version,you will most likely be reported,and have major problems on zazzle.de,because i believe usage of nazi symbolism is now illegal in germany.

football uniform colors when used with team name or insignia
usually owned by somebody NFL.

OMFG(acronym)
owned by somebody.
i would check if you intend to use any other "net" acronyms,because somebody will probably do those too eventually.

astronauts-NASA images
while Nasa pictures are more or less public domain (via tax payer dollars),an astronaut image may get buzz's estate knocking.i don't get that one myself.

camouflage
i'm not sure how this got weaseled,but now a no-no.i'd like to see what the military's gonna do about that claim.i suggest renaming it if you're gonna use your OWN pattern.

"for the cure"
phrase claimed.can't use it.

problem words-
"fallen" and "drama queen" and "yo mama" have had problems.
"who dat" was having problems,but i believe that was overturned.ask zazzle.
"bad girl" even in a sentence is now appearently on that list.funny,i thought it only extended to the EXACT words by law.silly me,eh?

"pebble beach"
owned by a resort or something similar.

quotes & personages protected by CMG
protected phrases and etc

and while were at it,for further knowledge
i have seen too many alterations of this to report with and without crossbones.
this is from "evil ernie" the comic by pulido and hughes .it is NOT public domain.