I know that the images of political figures are fair game, but how about people like O’Reilly, Rush, Stewart and Olberman? Can I come up with some T that mocks them and sell them? Or does that run afoul of some law?
Thanks.
Did you take the pictures yourself and in a public place? Do you otherwise hold the rights to such pictures and were they taken legally? Will you caption them in a way that portrays these people as condoning or supporting some cause or product that they do not?
Images of political figures are not necessarily fair game. People have a right of publicity that allows them to control how their image is used commercially. These rights vary from one jurisdiction to another so if you’re looking to start up an actual business venture you need to speak with a lawyer who is knowledgable about this area of the law.
Let’s assume I can get the photographer’s permission. And the picture already appeared in a nagazine or newspaper. And let’s say there’s a picture of Howard Stern where he looks quite avian, could I use the picture, which I have permission to use from the photographer, and put it on a T-shirt with the caption “Bird Brain”. Bad example, but you get the idea.
I will let the lawyers answer this question. As a total non-expert, that sounds more like satire than anything else, and you shouldn’t have much problem if you already secured the rights to use the photo from the photographer. Then again, I am just talking off the bottom of my abdominal cavity.
Nagazine, eh? Is that a Freudian slip, or what. 
Peace,
mangeorge ND
Nagazine! A new word coined by me. And used without permission by mangeorge. My lawyers will be speaking with you, sir.
Lawyers be damned!
Sabres at dusk.
Anyone need a second? I’ve always wanted to be a second. Will this be to first blood, or (as I prefer) to the death? 
Remember the fight scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Like that.
Seconds must sign a waiver.
What exactly would I be waiving? :dubious:
You might be waiving your right to sue for injuries caused by stray bullets or misdirected swords.
The photographer’s permission might mean bupkus if the magazine bought the rights.
I’m going on memory here, my books are at home, and I’m definitely not a lawyer. But you would have a very difficult time using the likeness of a celebrity if they didn’t want you to.
If you’re selling t-shirts, I don’t think the argument that it’s just parody works. Again, IANAL, just something I read up on.