bornintoit Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Can you legally use something similar to a team's font if you only use the city name?Such as "BOSTON" in a similar font style as the Red Sox but just writing Boston and not "Red Sox" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsox Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Can you legally use something similar to a team's font if you only use the city name?Such as "BOSTON" in a similar font style as the Red Sox but just writing Boston and not "Red Sox"I see T-Shirts at convenience stores and mall stands all over the place with designs like this so I'm assuming you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantleisthebest7 Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I've wondered that, also. I've been wanting to make my own actually, but i wasnt sure if it was ok. I'd like to know, too. Jimmy Eat World Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bornintoit Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 What I do know is that you can't trademark a city name....Anyone have any insight on this topic?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordie_delini Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 More than likely the answer is a firm no. Either the team or the league will have likely have the font custom created, so it is probably proprietary material, on the same level as the logos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmered Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I would think if you made something in a team font, representing the team name, you'd be aligning your design with their intellectual property.Let's face it, everyone knows what the Boston Red Sox font looks like, and that it is associated with the club.However, if you were to just uise the font, or use thefontfor some sort of parody, then it's probably OK.EG "Boston Red Sox World Champions", or even just "Boston" T-Shirts in a team font would be illegal.Your own team in the same font would probably be OKOffensive Boston comment, with Boston in the same font would probably be OK too. Oh, and I've got a site.Footy Jumpers Dot Com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udubs03 Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 You bring up a really interesting question, rmered. Where is the line between parody and copyright infringement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmered Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 You bring up a really interesting question, rmered. Where is the line between parody and copyright infringement?I guess when it's not being serious.Boston Dead Sox. or any other similar derogatory term, no matter how offensive, on a scale of Not to Very, would probably get away with it because it was a parody on the Boston name.However, to write Boston in the Red Sox font is, while only a city name, probably still subject copyright given the font is the method used to attach the city name to the team.Let's face it, the word Boston might mean anything.This, however, is the Boston Red Sox Baseball Club.And finally, I reckon you'd get away with this:Because without reference to the Boston Red Sox, this point is mute, the font identifies it as the Red Sox, the rest of the 'design' is the overall statement being made. Oh, and I've got a site.Footy Jumpers Dot Com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordie_delini Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 They could still go after you for the second example, since you're still using proprietary material without permission. You'd be able to get away with something like "Bulldogs" in that font, but nothing referring to Boston or Red Sox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantleisthebest7 Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 I know I didnt start this topic, but I have wanted to know this and I thank you guys for your input. It has helped me as well. Jimmy Eat World Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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