Using South Park on Etsy: Trademark Guide for Sellers

High Risk

Last updated: January 15, 2025

South Park, owned by Paramount/MTV Entertainment Studios, enforces trademarks on character names, the distinctive cut-out animation style, and show branding. Despite the show's irreverent nature, trademark enforcement is serious.

What You Can Do

  • Sell authentic licensed or vintage South Park merchandise you have purchased
  • Reference South Park in tags for genuinely compatible or related accessories
  • Create original artwork that does not copy any protected imagery or logos
  • Describe handmade items with generic genre terms rather than the franchise name

What You Cannot Do

  • Use South Park names, logos, or character imagery on unlicensed products
  • Sell fan art that reproduces specific South Park characters, scenes, or logos
  • Include South Park in listing titles or tags for items that are not officially licensed
  • Claim or imply affiliation with the South Park franchise or its rights holders

Safe Alternatives

  • Create original fantasy, sci-fi, or genre artwork that does not reference the franchise
  • Use descriptive themes (e.g., "wizard school", "space opera") instead of franchise names
  • Design original characters or worlds inspired by the genre, not by South Park specifically

Check your listings for South Park trademark issues

Scan your listings for policy violations, trademark risks, and compliance issues before they become takedowns.

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Don't wait for Etsy to flag your shop

Scan your listings for policy violations, trademark risks, and compliance issues before they become takedowns.