Hi, I want to start a website selling shirts that would say "Go School Name," like "Go Carolina" or "Go NC State." I would not be using the full name of the school, and I would be using my own text and not logo's or text from the school itself. Would I get in trouble for doing this or would it be allowed?
I would tread lightly in this area. You should probably consult a copyright/trademark attorney to be sure. I always try to err on the side of caution when dealing with these issues.
There are plenty of threads here that deal with copyright/trademark issues.
Good luck
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If it is a state institution, the name of that is the property of the people, so using the name is fine.
HOWEVER...
Using any logo (or even school colors) can be deemed as copyright infringement. Just like you can't use the USPS logo because it is the owned copyright of the post office, but I am certainly allowed to print a "U.S. Post Office Rules!" shirt.
If it is a state institution, the name of that is the property of the people, so using the name is fine.
HOWEVER...
Using any logo (or even school colors) can be deemed as copyright infringement. Just like you can't use the USPS logo because it is the owned copyright of the post office, but I am certainly allowed to print a "U.S. Post Office Rules!" shirt.
Here is an example of what I mean, I am using my own text, but I would be using colors similar to school colors. I am also not using a full school name. Do you think this would be acceptable or would it be deemed copyright infringement?
Here is an example of what I mean, I am using my own text, but I would be using colors similar to school colors. I am also not using a full school name. Do you think this would be acceptable or would it be deemed copyright infringement?
You really need to talk to a lawyer about this
Even if 100 of us said "sure, it looks perfectly fine to use", that wouldn't stop you from getting sued by the college or even give you an idea if they would sue you.
Collegiate stuff is very protected. Tread lightly.
Well I figured if enough of yall said it wouldn't be ok, there would be no point in wasting my time and possible money talking to an expert.
That's why I mentioned that. That would be a completely wrong assumption
A majority of "peer" advice is no substitute for official legal advice.
We won't be the ones paying the legal fees if the colleges (or most likely the CLC) ends up suing you.
Better to spend time and money talking to an expert (lawyer) before hand and getting them on legal retainer rather than to have to scramble to find one after the fact because you were sued after everyone said you wouldn't be.
I know The University of Texas owns some sort of copyright on the word "Texas" by itself on a t-shirt even if not in school colors.
I also know from a newpaper article I read a few months ago that they will very aggresively go after people they think are infringing on their copyright. I would guess that since collegiate merchandising is such big business that most major universities will be the same way. As Rodney said, I would talk to a lawyer and tread very carefully
www.clc.com is an Atlanta based company that is now owned by a Sports Marketing firm. They are the people most Universities use to review applications for you to be allowed to sell anything with a LOGO from a University. Since they do not want small people doing this it is a waste of time plus the cost is crazy. It costs from 500.00 to 1000.00 US for each University plus 3,000,000 product liability insurance made out to the University not you. I know people who have spent 50,000.00 to try to sell something simple and never get permission.
Use of college name on shirt 
