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Author Topic: using all or part of a sports teams name  (Read 832 times)

Doxielover

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using all or part of a sports teams name
« on: 08-12-05 at 11:19 pm »

I have been searching everywhere for what the laws are to this. I know I can't use their actual logo with whatever art they have with their name. But can I use say the 1st letter of their name or Embroider their name on a shirt? I was told before that only the actual image is copy righted and if it is changed even slightly than it isn't breaking and laws. I am lost when it comes to this stuff. Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
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Isaac

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Re: using all or part of a sports teams name
« Reply #1 on: 08-13-05 at 05:58 am »

For many of the sports teams, there is a letter logo that I would
expect is also a trademark.  For example the Atlanta Braves
use a stylized "A" on caps and stuff.  If you made a cap with a
regular A on it, you may be able to successfully avoid a trademark violation,
but maybe you would still have a Lanham act violation if the rest of
your contact indicated a false association with the Atlanta Braves.

Similarly, most of the team names absent the city designation are
common animal names or other names used by tons of sports teams.
(There are exceptions). But again other facts can lead to Lanham
act violations even when there is not strictly a trademark
violation.  Being on the wrong end of a Lanham act suit with some claims
added for unfair competition, passing off, etc. might sure feel
really similar to being sued for trademark infringement.

Of course I made up some "facts" that you really did not
include in your post.  Perhaps a lawyer that you describe your
situation to in more detail could give you a different and better
answer.
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Isaac

Isaac

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Re: using all or part of a sports teams name
« Reply #2 on: 08-13-05 at 06:30 am »

One more thing, the advice that changing a copyrighted image slightly
avoids infringement is very bad advice.
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Isaac
 



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