Defunkd

[gezheng2024]

Hello sir, regarding Euro tags, I’m a bit confused. In the pictures, there are two Marilyn Manson tees—one with a Winterland tag and the other with a Euro tag. Both feature matching print designs and official licensing stamps. Is the Euro-tagged piece legitimate? Additionally, many Euro-tagged tees lack licensing stamps—are those considered bootleg? I’d appreciate your clarification.

[jimmyj]

It looks okay from what I can see with a quick glance. Yes, the Euro ones are Legit. These two have different backs though, haven't looked in to that, not sure if one is euro specific or not.

The t-shirt artwork gets sent overseas and the screen printers use domestic t-shirts. Often that means the licensee's branding doesn't make it into the tag situation, but the licensing is still printed because it's part of the artwork.

I would have to look at the lack of copyright on a case-by-case basis. It doesn't necessarily mean it's fake if it's lacking it. There are other stronger signals of it being fake than that—the print will be a dead giveaway, and there are a few other factors.

There are fake euro tags though, which complicates things, but from what I have seen they are put on single stitch tees.

[gezheng2024]

follow the topic above, two Nirvana tees in the images with identical Giant tags—both are legit, yet one has a copyright stamp while the other lacks it. What explains this difference?

In the article from defunkd.com (https://www.defunkd.com/vintage-t-shirt-terminology/), unauthorized original tees are labeled "bootlegs," while authorized ones are termed "authentic." Many tour tees omit copyright stamps,for example in the pics，the Metallica tee with a fruit tag (seller claims it’s a bootleg) and another two tees with Euro tag also missing a copyright stamp. How to determine if they’re authentic or bootlegs (unauthorized)?

[gezheng2024]

metallica tee with a fruit tag

[jimmyj]

It's confusing I know. I didn't look deeply into the two nirvana tees but they both look okay - so those two Nirvana tees are both legit, not bootlegs. One is just missing the copyright that's all. I don't know why, for whatever reason, sometimes it gets dropped out of a print. Remember, they are printed in multiple locations, in multiple countries.

A vintage bootleg will likely never have a copyright line, or if it does, will be generic like "Copyright Concert Shirt."

A vintage bootleg is often a unique design the counterfeiters created themselves. Sometimes it's loosely based on the same imagery, but often it's their own design.

[gezheng2024]

Thanks JimmyJ. Your website was so important in my knowledge of vintage shirts.