College Football 2012 Season

[OchentaYOcho88]

Wait, they dropped Sparky because of the face? Why couldn't they just redesign it, then?

They did, and people basically threw a fit. Plus, Disney. Why should ASU redesign their logo because of a potential connection that has been known about for decades? It'd basically be the case where Disney's powerful lawyers would find a way to wrap the university up in enough of a lawsuit that it'd be just enough of a major inconvenience. But ASU is no slouch in the legal representation department either, so it would be pretty inconvenient to Disney as well. Both have basically come to a mutual agreement that lessens the use of the logo, but doesn't abandon it, if for nothing else but to avoid a bunch of legal nonsense.

I don't understand Disney's connection to Sparky. Have I missed something?

[Kevin W.]

Wait, they dropped Sparky because of the face? Why couldn't they just redesign it, then?

They did, and people basically threw a fit. Plus, Disney. Why should ASU redesign their logo because of a potential connection that has been known about for decades? It'd basically be the case where Disney's powerful lawyers would find a way to wrap the university up in enough of a lawsuit that it'd be just enough of a major inconvenience. But ASU is no slouch in the legal representation department either, so it would be pretty inconvenient to Disney as well. Both have basically come to a mutual agreement that lessens the use of the logo, but doesn't abandon it, if for nothing else but to avoid a bunch of legal nonsense.

I don't understand Disney's connection to Sparky. Have I missed something?

Supposedly Sparky's face is modeled after Walt Disney's.

[walkerws]

Wait, they dropped Sparky because of the face? Why couldn't they just redesign it, then?

They did, and people basically threw a fit. Plus, Disney. Why should ASU redesign their logo because of a potential connection that has been known about for decades? It'd basically be the case where Disney's powerful lawyers would find a way to wrap the university up in enough of a lawsuit that it'd be just enough of a major inconvenience. But ASU is no slouch in the legal representation department either, so it would be pretty inconvenient to Disney as well. Both have basically come to a mutual agreement that lessens the use of the logo, but doesn't abandon it, if for nothing else but to avoid a bunch of legal nonsense.

I don't understand Disney's connection to Sparky. Have I missed something?

Supposedly Sparky's face is modeled after Walt Disney's.

Really. Walt Disney and Sparky?! Shut the Front Door. That's crazy talk.

[lahaye7]

It is silly, but hey I'd be honored if a university had me as their logo on a uniform. Good or bad looking. Maybe Walt got thawed out recently(another fun rumor, Walt is frozen awaiting re animation) and saw his face on asu's helmet and complained to his lawyer.

[MJWalker45]

Wasn't TCU originally supposed to wear their anthicrite jerseys?

Someone posted pictures earlier of the game uniforms. They were white. That was a good looking game and a nice finish.

[tj4eck]

Wait, they dropped Sparky because of the face? Why couldn't they just redesign it, then?

They did, and people basically threw a fit. Plus, Disney. Why should ASU redesign their logo because of a potential connection that has been known about for decades? It'd basically be the case where Disney's powerful lawyers would find a way to wrap the university up in enough of a lawsuit that it'd be just enough of a major inconvenience. But ASU is no slouch in the legal representation department either, so it would be pretty inconvenient to Disney as well. Both have basically come to a mutual agreement that lessens the use of the logo, but doesn't abandon it, if for nothing else but to avoid a bunch of legal nonsense.

I don't understand Disney's connection to Sparky. Have I missed something?

Supposedly Sparky's face is modeled after Walt Disney's.

Really. Walt Disney and Sparky?! Shut the Front Door. That's crazy talk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparky_the_Sun_Devil

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/fashion-break-arizona-state-de-emphasizes-its-demonic-homage-to-walt-disney?urn=ncaaf,wp725

[WSU151]

I hate that they dropped Sparky too, but you can blame that one on Disney, who "strongly suggested" to ASU that they deemphasize the use of Sparky.

Is there something published that confirms there was potential litigation? I just want to read more details on Disney's decades-long delayed reaction, especially on a "likeness" that's solely based on a mustache, a mustache that Disney himself never actually sported (Disney never had a split mustache like Sparky has). Nothing else about Sparky looks like Walt Disney. It's not a Disney trademark so ASU didn't steal anything, and Disney (legally) can't tell ASU how to use the logo. ASU would win easily and quickly if such a lawsuit went to litigation. I really don't buy that Disney and its team of lawyers were scared of being tied up with ASU lawyers if it was perceived there was money to be made (and vice-versa).

No offense, Bucfan, but your Disney-suggested-ASU-should-minimize-Sparky story really doesnt pass the legal smell test. It makes for a cool message board story, but that's about it. There are very, very few "Well, you can use it, but just don't use it a lot so we can avoid a lawsuit" agreements in the legal world. 99.9999% of the time it's either "Yes, we'll allow you to use it (for a fee, in all likelihood)" or "No, you can't use it". If Disney wanted ASU to stop using Sparky because of a supposed and very faint "likeness", they would have sued them.

[TimEOBrien]

And Sparky still appears on ASU helmets:

[FiddySicks]

Well, that's the story that goes around campus. I'll look for some proof of this, but I've heard it straight from the mouth of the Alumni director at ASU during orientation. Not saying that holds any legal clout, but it's the legend. It's as well a reason why one of our new logos is the freaking shocker (which is my avatar). It's a bit of a protest, and is even on the side of the football stadium. I about crashed my Jeep the first day I got to Tempe when I saw that.

And Sparky is in no way gone. He's still on signs all over campus, but there have been a ton of them that have been covered up with the new pitchfork logo.

[_RH_]

When the primary color of your helmet, jersey, and pants are all non-school colors, you're doing it wrong. I'm looking at you, ASU.

[Kevin W.]

When the primary color of your helmet, jersey, and pants are all non-school colors, you're doing it wrong. I'm looking at you, ASU.

The white helmets and pants are excusable since everyone uses white.

[ryebread19]

This can't be real, right?

[LETSGOBLUEBEATMSU]

This can't be real, right?

https://twitter.com/...518863595077632

um im going to take a swing and say no.

[Mingjai]

I hate that they dropped Sparky too, but you can blame that one on Disney, who "strongly suggested" to ASU that they deemphasize the use of Sparky.

Is there something published that confirms there was potential litigation? I just want to read more details on Disney's decades-long delayed reaction, especially on a "likeness" that's solely based on a mustache, a mustache that Disney himself never actually sported (Disney never had a split mustache like Sparky has). Nothing else about Sparky looks like Walt Disney. It's not a Disney trademark so ASU didn't steal anything, and Disney (legally) can't tell ASU how to use the logo. ASU would win easily and quickly if such a lawsuit went to litigation. I really don't buy that Disney and its team of lawyers were scared of being tied up with ASU lawyers if it was perceived there was money to be made (and vice-versa).

And even if Disney did have some sore of rights to the likeness, they shouldn't be able to enforce them under the doctrine of laches after having slept on their rights for so long.

[GriffinM6]

This can't be real, right?

https://twitter.com/...518863595077632

um im going to take a swing and say no.

The people commenting on it and saying they like it are complete idiots. That logo is bad, and should be seen nowhere on a football helmet.

[thespleenenator]

This can't be real, right?

https://twitter.com/...518863595077632

Looks like a photoshop. Don't think it's real.

[LETSGOBLUEBEATMSU]

https://twitter.com/i/#!/TamuHighlights/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2FCNIuvyGy they also posted this.

[twi]

Well, that's the story that goes around campus. I'll look for some proof of this, but I've heard it straight from the mouth of the Alumni director at ASU during orientation. Not saying that holds any legal clout, but it's the legend. It's as well a reason why one of our new logos is the freaking shocker (which is my avatar). It's a bit of a protest, and is even on the side of the football stadium. I about crashed my Jeep the first day I got to Tempe when I saw that.

And Sparky is in no way gone. He's still on signs all over campus, but there have been a ton of them that have been covered up with the new pitchfork logo.

That juvenile hand signal is an officially used school logo? Yikes, that's going to be a useless diploma...

[BigDmo]

I hate that they dropped Sparky too, but you can blame that one on Disney, who "strongly suggested" to ASU that they deemphasize the use of Sparky.

Is there something published that confirms there was potential litigation? I just want to read more details on Disney's decades-long delayed reaction, especially on a "likeness" that's solely based on a mustache, a mustache that Disney himself never actually sported (Disney never had a split mustache like Sparky has). Nothing else about Sparky looks like Walt Disney. It's not a Disney trademark so ASU didn't steal anything, and Disney (legally) can't tell ASU how to use the logo. ASU would win easily and quickly if such a lawsuit went to litigation. I really don't buy that Disney and its team of lawyers were scared of being tied up with ASU lawyers if it was perceived there was money to be made (and vice-versa).

And even if Disney did have some sore of rights to the likeness, they shouldn't be able to enforce them under the doctrine of laches after having slept on their rights for so long.

It really wasn't until the "I Love My Ducks" video that featured the Duck mascot in it before Disney got mad about Oregon's agreement with the company. It kind of woke up the deal and eventually Disney backed out and said that the mascot didn't bear resemblance to Donald Duck.

[Kevin W.]

Well, that's the story that goes around campus. I'll look for some proof of this, but I've heard it straight from the mouth of the Alumni director at ASU during orientation. Not saying that holds any legal clout, but it's the legend. It's as well a reason why one of our new logos is the freaking shocker (which is my avatar). It's a bit of a protest, and is even on the side of the football stadium. I about crashed my Jeep the first day I got to Tempe when I saw that.

And Sparky is in no way gone. He's still on signs all over campus, but there have been a ton of them that have been covered up with the new pitchfork logo.

That juvenile hand signal is an officially used school logo? Yikes, that's going to be a useless diploma...

In ASU's defense, their hand sign has the index and middle fingers held separately, which is different from the vulgar gesture.