This may have come up before but I want to start a thread on this as I am hoping it will help me and maybe others with the same questions.

I know that you cannot sell carved copyrighted images, names, or phases without the rights to use them. My main question is where is the line drawn, when does it become illegal? Please note that this is not a thread insighting illegal activity, it's about working within the law.

Example;

I live and work near Pittsburgh Pa and football and hockey are big around here, lots of pride. I would like to start sell some custom carved stuff based in that market.

Obviously, there is going to be certain "no no's", both the Steeler and the Penguin emblems, and the words "Steelers" and "Penguins" for starters.

But what about "Pittsburgh", like "Let's GO Pittsburgh" or something like that?
Does someone own the rights to the word "Pittsburgh"? Would the city itself?

Also, Quotes & Phrases. There are many quotes, phrases, proverbs that there is no copyright on that are free to use/sell. But, what about a phase/quote that the person to have said/stated such phase/quote is know? Like I found a quote by Nathaniel Hawthorn that would make a really nice sign, can I use it if I give credit to the quoter?

i.e. " Quote...."
Nathaniel Hawthorn
Is there special restrictions in that kind of thing?

I know this is getting long but I have two more questions? Quotes from the Bible, are they considered public domain or I need to get special permission to use quotes from the Bible, any version?

Lastly, how do I find out if a quote, phrase, and/or word is copyrighted?

I have been saying this for years, "in my opinion everything has been said before, so how do you know what you can use without stepping on toes?"

Thanks for any and all help.