Copyright usage in patterns?

[Lord Libidan]

I was thinking of making patterns and putting them up on esty, but I was wondering what can the patterns contain? Can I use things like pac man, space invaders, game screens, t shirt designs I've made patterns for? If so, do I have to say they're copyrighted to whoever owns them?
I've seen a few out there that don't make any comments on copyright, but I've seen others that people try to alter the image slightly so they aren't copies of the space invaders, etc...

Thanks

[Stardrifter]

i had a pacman bookmark on my etsy a long while ago and namco told etsy to take it down, so i'd save yourself some work on the pacman stuff at least^^;

[johloh]

its a tough question that doesnt really have a good answer. usually if youre hand making single items the gaming companies rarely get involved, atleast from what I have seen.

bummer to stardrifter though, I'm surprised.

it seems to be sporadic at best. they have to be looking, find an item, and bother to write an email...a lot of effort for a company when tons of people are making pacman stuff and selling it. it doesnt seem worth it to shut down your bookmark making.

but, to answer the question. in most cases you are fine as long as its not mass production.technically its illegal, but the worst that will really happen is a request to remove the item. they wont take you to court over a bookmark.