copyright attorney question
 

My understanding is that before an attorney would decide if there cause enough to even write a cease and desist letter, he would need to do a bunch of research and charge me up the ass.

Maybe someone here can help me out. My cartoon (the first one) is registered copyright protected, published in textbooks by one of the largest textbook publishers in the USA, used on T-Shirts by IBM, and up on more than a few educators web sites.

Their design showed up advertised on a site after my design showed up as content on that same site.

Is this T-Shirt infringing on my copyright? Should I go after these guys? Or are these designs too different to make a case?

Wellllllll?

mine
http://www.mightywombat.com/toons/numbers.gif

theirs
http://www.snorgtees.com/images/PiBe..._Fullpic_1.jpg

To me it seems like a pretty common math joke.. and the designs themselves are a little bit different.

I do know that many people write Cease and Desist letters without the help of an attorney. It really doesn't take much to write one. I'm sure there are certain web entities that get C&D letters by the dozen, and categorically ignore them. They're only enforceable if someone decides its worth the time. :)

Makes sense to me. Also, most decent lawyers will tell you up front what they would charge so it can't hurt to ask one. Then you'll know.

I agree, this doesn't seem substantially similar enough to merit a claim for infringement.

It's a cute cartoon, though, even to someone who hates math. :-)

I was pretty much thinking what y'all said. Thanks.