How to Avoid Copyright Issues When Generating Coloring Pages
AI makes it easy to generate almost anything, which means it is also easy to accidentally create something you should not sell or share. The biggest risk is copyrighted and trademarked characters. This guide keeps you on the safe side, especially if you plan to sell.
The golden rule
Do not generate, sell, or distribute pages of named characters from movies, TV, games, or toy brands, even if the AI can make them. Those characters are protected, and a license to use the tool does not give you rights to them.
What is risky
- Movie and cartoon characters by name
- Video game and brand mascots
- Logos and branded products
- Real celebrities' likenesses
What is safe
- Generic subjects: animals, flowers, vehicles, food
- Original characters you describe ("a friendly cartoon robot")
- Holidays and seasons (a generic Santa or bunny is fine; a branded character is not)
- Nature, patterns, and mandalas
Prompt to stay safe
Describe what you want generically instead of naming a character. Want a superhero? Prompt "a generic caped hero in a mask," not a brand name. Want a princess? Use "an original fairytale princess", see our princess guide.
Extra care for selling
Personal use gives you more leeway, but the moment you sell, the bar is higher. Keep everything in a commercial book original and generic, and confirm your commercial license before publishing on KDP.
FAQ
Can I print a character page just for my own kid? Personal use is lower risk, but never sell or distribute it.
How do I make a "safe" superhero? Describe a generic, original hero rather than naming a brand.
Are holiday characters okay? Generic ones (a Santa, a bunny) are fine; branded ones are not.
Create safely, generate an original coloring page.
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