Are you a maker or creative who absolutely loves the worlds of Harry Potter, Marvel or Star Wars? Ever thought they’d make amazing products to sell in your shop or at a craft fair?
I totally get it – these worlds are incredibly inspiring. But here’s the thing: they’re also some of the most tightly protected licences out there, and what you’re allowed to do is far more limited than most people realise.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what you can legally create or sell around these cult sagas, without risking a takedown, a cease-and-desist, or worse: a complete ban on your business.
Harry Potter, Marvel and Star Wars licences: what you need to know
Behind the magic, the superpowers and the lightsabers are massive companies that guard their worlds like vaults:
- Harry Potter is the work of J.K. Rowling, managed by The Blair Partnership and commercially operated by Warner Bros.
- Marvel is a registered trademark owned by Disney.
- Star Wars, through Lucasfilm, has also been under the Disney banner since 2012.
In short: these are heavily monitored brands, with legal teams constantly on the lookout for unofficial products – even handmade ones.
What’s completely off-limits (yes, even for small makers)
Here’s what you’re not allowed to do:
- 🚫 Sell items with the names Harry Potter, Marvel, Star Wars, etc.
- 🚫 Use character or place names (Hermione, Iron Man, Luke Skywalker, Hogwarts…)
- 🚫 Reproduce logos, symbols, exact quotes, visuals or recognisable costumes
- 🚫 Draw the characters, even in your own style (fan art)
- 🚫 Add “inspired by” or “Harry Potter universe” in your product title (even on Etsy)
Even if you write “fan made”, “unofficial”, or only sell a handful of items, you’re still infringing. It’s not about intention – it’s about copyright and trademarks.
Can you take inspiration from these universes?
Yes… but only with care and subtlety.
- ✅ Take inspiration from a mood: magical, mysterious, futuristic or heroic.
- ✅ Capture an emotion or atmosphere: a secret school, a galaxy, an impossible mission.
- ✅ Create your own universe with its own codes, while keeping the vibe we all love from these sagas.
But: never make a direct reference to the protected worlds.
Concrete examples (to picture it more clearly)
- ❌ A notebook called “Spells of Hogwarts” with a wand → too explicit
- ❌ A poster saying “May the Force be with you” → trademarked slogan
- ❌ A piece of jewellery as “Captain America’s shield” → recognisable element
- ✔️ A candle called “Magical Library Mood”, with a neutral label
- ✔️ A starry-covered notebook titled “Intergalactic Journal”
- ✔️ A pouch called “Motivation Potion”, without any brand reference
Selling fan art or inspired products: how to avoid trouble
You can’t sell Marvel, Harry Potter or Star Wars fan art, unless:
- You hold an official licence (very rare and very expensive)
- You’re creating for strictly private use (at home without publishing, or as a student project)
⚠️ Platforms like Etsy, Amazon and Redbubble enforce these rules extremely strictly: a single report can suspend your account, even if you’ve got excellent reviews.
Remember: “If people can instantly tell which saga you’re referring to, you’ve already gone too far.”
If your product immediately brings a specific work to mind, it’s probably illegal.
Of course, creating means being inspired – but your style, your imagination and your unique creative touch should always come before simply reusing a known universe.
Create your own magic
Do you love magic, space adventures or superheroes? Then why not build your own universe from those inspirations?
A universe where you can express yourself freely, sell your creations without hiding, and build your personal brand.
You can be inspired without copying. You can pay tribute without breaking the rules. You can create a world that’s entirely your own.
And if you’d like to talk it through or get some guidance, I’m here to help.