Guidelines for creating Zentangle-inspired Art and Products

This article was originally posted in March 2013. Due to the volume of email I receive asking about copyright issues, it seems appropriate to add this as a separate more visible page. For this and many many useful articles, please visit the TUTORIALS tab on the pink alphabetic tangle menu bar.

Lately I’ve been getting email inquiries about what is involved in creating Zentangle®-inspired cards and other products for sale.

I thought it would be helpful to review Zentangle’s current guidelines and make them available on TanglePatterns.

The following is everything you need to know on the subject. This information is reprinted in its entirety from the zentangle.com website and is done so with permission.

I encourage you to visit the link for the complete information in context, and because Rick and Maria update it as needed on an ongoing basis.

Creating Zentangle-Inspired Art or Derivative Items

1. You are free to use our tangles (patterns) in your creations.
   (Example: You can tangle your T-shirt.)
2. You can create your own Zentangle-inspired art, whether it’s for personal use or for resale.
   (Example: You can make copies of your tangled T-shirt and sell them.)
3. You can copyright what you create using our tangles and our method.
   (Example: You can copyright your T-shirt design.)
4. If you want to let others know what inspired you, you can use the phrase, “Inspired by the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing.”
   (Comment: This an informal “netiquette” courtesy to let others know about Zentangle and to give a “hat-tip” to your source. This does not mean that it’s OK to create Zentangle branded products as long as you use that phrase; i.e. you cannot call it a “Zentangle T-shirt” or put “Zentangle” or our logo on the T-shirt you are selling. More on that below under “Products”)
5. Please use the “®” after “Zentangle” in your first use of the word.
   (Comment: This is a standard “good practice” and is a good habit to use when referring to any registered brand name.)
6. If possible, please reference and link to our website. While not necessary, it’s a courtesy and one that we always endeavor to follow whenever we write about something that has inspired us.
   (Comment: Again, this is not necessary, but we always appreciate the hat-tip.)
7. If appropriate, please include the bold paragraph suggested above under “Writing About Zentangle.”
   (Comment: Like the website link, it’s not necessary, but it is a courtesy.)
8. Please do not use our name or logo in a manner that is likely to confuse consumers as to the origin of the goods. It should be clear that your items are not created or licensed by Zentangle, Inc., but that they are yours which were inspired by Zentangle’s method.
   (Comment: The easiest way to accomplish this is to not use our name or logo on what you create or, as part of the name or main description of what you create. In other words, an average person should not have a reason to think your creation is actually a Zentangle branded product (more on that below).)
9. If you have any questions, please ask. We are happy to consider anything on a case-by-case basis.

Creating Zentangle-Inspired Products

In addition to the items above under “Zentangle-Inspired Art or Derivative Items,”

1. Please do not use “Zentangle” as part of a product name without our express written permission.
2. Please do not use “Zentangle” in your description or labeling so that an average person would think your product is created or licensed by Zentangle without our express written permission.
3. Please do not use our logo or our name on your product or, as part of your product, without our express written permission.
4. We continue to learn and revise these guidelines. So, if you have any questions, please ask. We are really easy to work with.

Free eBook about copyright for crafters and artists

Visit this page to download your free copy of Copyright 101, a free Interweave eBook — “Know Your Rights: Copyright 101” for crafters and artists.

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