[xxflyingricexx]

I wanted to start making tee shirts with my school name/logo on it. Is it legal to do this? I want to put my college name/logo on tee shirts and hoodies.

 

[pyrophire]

No, they are highly copyrighted. You need permission and a license which is in the tens of thousands for most universities.

 

[kimura-mma]

I wanted to start making tee shirts with my school name/logo on it. Is it legal to do this? I want to put my college name/logo on tee shirts and hoodies.

College names and logos are usually federally registered through the US trademark office. So it's only legal to use them if you properly negotiate license or permission.

If the school is a major one, like a Division 1 sports school, then don't hold your breath. You need a license through the CLC. It takes big time manufacturing and distribution capabilities to get a license. Plus, the upfront fees and royalties make it expensive.

Even if you are talking about a smaller school, like a Division 2 or 3 sports school, the licensing may be done through the LRG. While not as difficult as CLC schools, you can still expect to pay fees and require legit sales channels.

If the school does not fall under either licensing agency, just contact school officials and find out what it takes to get permission.

 

[xxflyingricexx]

But i can still put like my school name on it? just not the same design as the school logo? I go to SUNY Albany.

 

[pyrophire]

A trademark is a type of intellectual property, and typically a name, word, phrase, logo, symbol, design, image, or a combination of these elements.[2] There is also a range of non-conventional trademarks comprising marks which do not fall into these standard categories, such as those based on color, smell, or sound.

So no.

 

[kimura-mma]

But i can still put like my school name on it? just not the same design as the school logo? I go to SUNY Albany.

SUNY Albany is a CLC school. You would need a license to use the school name, team name, logo, mascot or anything else that would be directly associated with the school.

 

[xxflyingricexx]

So what about brand name clothing? I see all the time in shops along the boardwalk in atlantic city, with brands pressed onto shirts and hoodies. Name brands such as puma, DC, monster energy. Isn't that illegal?

 

[pyrophire]

So what about brand name clothing? I see all the time in shops along the boardwalk in atlantic city, with brands pressed onto shirts and hoodies. Name brands such as puma, DC, monster energy. Isn't that illegal?

Yes, those shops are only open until they are hit with fines and law suits, leading to ruined lives for trying to smooze off of established companies hard work.

 

[xxflyingricexx]

hey, they have been there since I have been going to AC... A whole chain of them that cover the whole boardwalk make shirts/hoodies like those.

 

[pyrophire]

Then they might have rights to print or be resellers for the items.

 

[xxflyingricexx]

most of the shirts were like gildan or hanes brand shirts.

 

[pyrophire]

if they are paying the license fees then they might be allowed to print on any item they want, why dont you go ask them if they are legal instead of just wondering on here...

 

[kimura-mma]

So what about brand name clothing? I see all the time in shops along the boardwalk in atlantic city, with brands pressed onto shirts and hoodies. Name brands such as puma, DC, monster energy. Isn't that illegal?

If they are pressing heat transfers onto the shirts, then it's very possible they are buying the transfers from a licensed dealer. That would make more sense than them being licensed by all those brands on an individual basis.

But if they are not licensed and not buying from a licensee, then what they are doing is illegal. Maybe it will catch up to them, maybe it won't. Either way, it's probably not a good business model to follow.