are the grateful dead dancing bears copyrighted

The Grateful Dead Dancing Bears: Are They Copyrighted?

The Grateful Dead dancing bears have become a beloved and iconic symbol of the band's counterculture spirit. But are they copyrighted? To answer this question, let's take a closer look at the history and significance of these whimsical creatures.

Designed by Owsley 'Bear' Stanley, one of the band's first sound engineers, the dancing bears made their debut on the back cover of the album The History of the Grateful Dead, Volume 1 (Bear's Choice) in 1973. Stanley was also a practicing chemist and the man behind a large portion of the LSD being circulated in the States at the time.

The bears were inspired by a goofy-looking 36-point leaden slug bear that Thomas used as inspiration for the design. The result is a playful, light-hearted appearance that has captured the hearts of Deadheads around the world.

But are these dancing bears copyrighted? The answer is yes. According to Grateful Dead Productions, Inc., the company responsible for managing the band's intellectual property, the dancing bears are a registered trademark of the Grateful Dead.

This means that anyone who wants to use the image of the dancing bears in any form - whether it's on merchandise, in advertising, or otherwise - must obtain permission from the Grateful Dead first. This includes both commercial and non-commercial uses, so even if you're just using the image for personal, non-profit purposes, you'll need to get approval from the band.

So why are the dancing bears copyrighted? The main reason is to protect the band's intellectual property and ensure that they receive fair compensation for their use. By controlling the use of their iconic symbol, the Grateful Dead can prevent unauthorized uses and ensure that their brand remains strong and recognizable.

In conclusion, while the Grateful Dead dancing bears are a beloved and iconic symbol, they are indeed copyrighted. If you want to use their image in any form, be sure to get permission from the band first.

Are the grateful dead dancing bears copyrighted