T-shirt , logo design , trademark's etc

I had Erik at Hidden do a logo /drawing for me ..and its awesome
but, I have been trying to come up with a way to put it and my car together on one LOGO ..

And it should have that 60's feel to it ..somewhat too
well, after a lot of thought ..I came up with a idea but, before I move further ..I have to ask cause someone on here will know I'm sure

If you take a OLD design from the 50's and not used any longer
and change it about 75% (only thing left is color (red/blue) and its a oval
Font is different, words are different, artwork is different (Mine )
no mention of the company that had the logo

Just oval, and its still the same colors ..whats the outlook on that ?

Hard to have a original thought .. its all just a repeat it seems
Thought someone told me once if you change it 25% or more then its ok ?

People have already stole my design on here and used it from the artwork Erik did and I paid for .. was I mad, well ? guess its a compliment ?

Ok ..discuss

 

Get Eric to take care of it.

 

My two cents...
if you're not doing a national ad campaign,don't worry about it.
If the first logo is a defunct co. who can say anything?

Hidden still owes me artwork,paid over a year ago.
not sure what his problem is.Acting like a jerk I'll say.

 

I have th logo done .. but, I don't know if it will cause a problem or not

Does it make you think .. Hmmm that looks like , yes ..it does
but you would HAVE to know the product from the 50's to know it

Most people today would not know it any longer ..HAMB people will

 

Yeah, well .. I gave up on him too .. but, he had done enough that I took it to another artist and with my ideas ..she whipped it right up

I have to say .. Its awesome, sent it to one guy ..he flipped
said .. yep, I'd buy that ..but he knew right off where I was going

company is still around .. do not use the logo anymore that I'm aware of might but , its changed allot so ,,, legally ?

 

Font is different, verbage is different, more than 25% change....its original. Every possible layout has been done somewhere by some one. I wouldnt worry at all.

Ive been doing art for 21 years, its never been an issue. If they can get away with totally s****ing Company logos and selling them at hot topic, and others stores....you are safe!

Ed Evans
Graphics Pit Stop
Best Damn Embroidery in Town

 

Sharing is caring. post some pic's !

 

Thats what I thought ... I know some companies do fight harder than others

I know a person that made a bunch of Harley sign stuff ..and it was nice

He had it all set out on a table at a swap meet ..along came some legal guy ..said give me all of your stuff here .. guy freaked out
called 911 they came, yep anything in "site" they could take

so, now .. he puts on piece out at a time ..

 

skeered ..
and once on the interweb it will be all over and I'll get my nuts slapped before I even make on dam shirt

but, I might anyway .. ha

 

Harley is hard on that stuff.....But they are protecting their profit. I forget the figure, but its amazing what they make in apparel and merc compared to actual bike sales. Everyone can afford a 30.00 shirt.....

 

A friend of mine was approached by a HD Lawyer,about a piece he
had on display,which looked a LOT like the HD "Bar and Shield" logo.

My friend explained,that he didn't steal the design from HD,
he stole it from the same WW1 German Infantry battalion
that HD stole the design from.That was basically the end of that.

 

The only thing I would check into is to see if the company has anything on their copyrights that say the words "similarities". . I know in some companies (the major corp.) have in the copyright that says no use of colors, or similarities may be used. If not then as long as you changed majority of the logo to your own design I think you would be ok.
"Corporations steal from the little man"

 

I asked the artist that did the work if she thinks its a issue ..

similar, yes .. its oval shaped and its red-blue
but, there is a 1000's of oval shaped red blue logos in the world

Poses a interesting question at least

 

if they object, they'll send you a cease a desist. don't worry about it. most companies don't even register on the 'radar' of other companies, national or not.

 

I forgot to add, "it's always easier to apologize than to ask for permission"

 

I wouldn't worry about it either; You're really just 'quoting' that old design, not making unfair use of it.

 

The text on the shirt are ones I use everyday on signs. The name "Big Dad Motorsports" is not owned by anyone using those same text styles.
The logo we changed so copyright only applies if it was exactly the same and if it were copyrighted in the first place

So no copyright infringement does not apply.

She works on this stuff every day so, its a-ok she says

 

There is a reason that there are trademark attorneys. This is an extremely complicated matter legally that we'll never solve here. However, if you're using it for personal use on a limited basis it'll probably never register on the radar. Worse come to worse you'll get a Cease and Desist.

If you ever get to the place you want to protect it you can have it researched and trademarked. That'll answer all of your questions. In the meantime you'll most likely be fine.

 

I used to give a lot of money to a copyright / trademark lawyer when I was making decals. One day he tells me, save your money, make stuff till you get a cease and desist, then call me. Guess by then his boat was paid for & his kid through college.

By then I was pretty much done with decals anyways & was focusing on corporate apparel (better, faster money).

Only cease & desist I every got was from Chrysler, they said I was at the Englishtown swap meet and the bought counterfeit T-Shirts from me. Funny thing is, I've never in my life set foot in NJ. They were just blowing smoke and admitted to such.

 

I only have it on a pdf file ..or , I'd post it ..unless someone knows how to do that ?

 

Hey....That looks just like an "STP" logo!!!

 

Good guess, ..but not that .. but perfect arguement to "like" subject matter

Its blue, its red and its oval .. just like other one
They still make STP don't they ?

 

I think they still make it, but they don't "push" the logo like they used to.

 

converting a PM is easy. PM me for my email ad I will convert it for you.

cody

 

Ok .. here it is .. critique away !

 

I like it. Falls into the "parody" category. And if anyone still cares is 51% you have to change, and how you interpret that is debatable. I've been doing this for years too and have often used a good I P lawyer friend for feedback.

 

I think its cool...would think it cooler if those were Pontiacs rather than Plymouth.

Ed

 

Looking good, Big Dad; Nice (and obvious) parody; shouldn't get you into trouble I'd say.

 

Just do it.....

Who cares what the _ _ _ _ thinks

Seriously, it will be allright..

 

Thanks .. The car/ truck mimic mine