How do they get away with it?

[stitches4815]

If any of us were to print up a Major League Baseball team logo, or a Harley Davidson logo without permission we run the risk of getting dragged into court.  I get asked from time to time to print a commercially branded logo, which I promptly explain why I can't do it.  Recently I have noticed the tattoo's people are sporting.  Cartoon characters, sports teams, vehicle or motorcycle logos.  How do the tattoo artists get away with this?  Don't mind me, this is just the raving of a lunatic.

[mk162]

because it's a single tattoo and frankly very hard to trace where it came from...and probably not worth chasing down.

On a side note there is a place here called Monster Golf and they used the Monster Energy Drink logo and had to change their signage.  Things like that are easier to catch

[Dottonedan]

I believe its because they are like Mk162 said, (one off's).  It's like a painting of Tiger Woods. woods wanted to sue for selling his likeness. The painter is able to by lay as it's not mass proceeded. You can do one (and it's an artist interpretation of that likeness. It can be sold, but not mass produced.


(I think) thats how it goes. The lawyers fight this tooth and nail in big money situations but often lose or make a deal. Each is unique even tho they may do a hundreds Tweetie birds a year.

[kingscreen]

There's a big history behind this with Harley Davidson in the 1970s. Basically, Harley Davidson tried to sue tattoo artists for using their logos without permission (as tattoos) until their lawyers told them they were stupid not to. Free advertising...for life. Unfortunately, T-Shirts are not seen in the same light.

[screenprintguy]

Hey guys, while we are on the subject, how does it work with little leagues. Most of the little league baseball leagues usually assign their kids a team name from a major league. You always see these teams printed with the major league's actual logos. I know these little leagues aren't paying to use the logos, neither are the print shops who these rec ball leagues bounce around to from season to season. Is it like a , well it's for the kids thing since they are just their uniforms, or are these rec leagues in violation? I see on Facebook alone all across Florida, friends of mine from high school and such post pictures of their kids playing ball and from Miami through Tallahassee you rec ball leagues outfitting their little tikes in screen printed T-shirts using MLB logos. What's your thoughts?

[cleveprint]

all of those products are Majestic. Bomark sells them and you can get an account with Majestic as well. Caps are all outdoor cap. I bid on a few leagues every year, but never get them.

http://www.bomarksportswear.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplayView?langId=-1&storeId=53052&catalogId=11552&categoryId=26414&page=1

[screenprintguy]

That's cool when someone orders through a licensed vendor like that, buuuuut, I know there are quite a few printers at least in our county alone that print on and off for these little rec leagues and don't obtain license. One way I know is because we have been approached and turned down the jobs for the exact reason. Nice to have a 10,000 dollar league order, but not at the expense of being sued by MLB. Ok, they don't seem to get in trouble, but we aren't going to risk it, it's just not right in the first place to print such orders knowing it's illegal. And of course when you tell the client, well actually unless you have legal docs stating that you have the right to reproduce, they drop the name of every other printer who has or will still print for them. Just curious if anyone has seen small shops get in trouble for doing this type of scenario.

[Grumpy Ole Artist]

I think they (for the most part) turn a blind eye...it's a "Oh well, it's for the kids" kind of thing...One local school actually obtained permission to use the "buccs" mascot. Another local school had to repaint a brand new gym floor because their "new" logo was a direct ripoff of purdue's train...an alum came to a game supporting the "away" team, and dropped a dime to his alma mater....I wouldn't worry too much about lttle league usage...I've NEVER heard of anyone getting sued over it....The worst one would get, would be a "cease and desist" letter....I would be more worried about the freaking "add-ons" that plague leagues...any meager profits made, are quickly vaporized when Bobby/Billy, etc, signs up past the cut-off date and still expects his little entitled ass to have a shirt like everybody else. Or, the coach decides (after seeing how great the team's shirts look) that maybe he should have one too. (Duh) we wind up re-setting most of a given league for one or two add-ons per team. I freaking HATE little league season! Grrrrrrrr! AAARRRGH!  Ohmmmmmmm, Ohmmmmm, Ohmmmmm..... wow! I feel better! Thanks guys! LOL!

[Frog]

I think they (for the most part) turn a blind eye...it's a "Oh well, it's for the kids" kind of thing..

I actually remember some years back, when MLB showed the world that no, they were no turning a blind eye, and cracked down on Little Leagues who were not using licensed apparel if using MLB trademarked logos. There was the usual moaning and groaning, but if one thinks about it, it didn't just cheat MLB, but those who legitimately print their stuff.

So, teams that I saw either went with the pre-prints from folks ;like Majestic, or avoided the actual logos, even if they used the name.