From the Mount Vernon Democrat:
Q: Can we use an image of Betty Boop in a birthday ad?
A: Betty Boop is a copyrighted creation. Unless you are using it to illustrate a news story, you run the risk of receiving a letter asking for compensation for violation of that copyright.
That’s particularly risky with an advertisement for which the newspaper received payment.
Contact Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, with media law questions at skey@hspa.com or (317) 624-4427.
