There’s been a lot of hubbub about copyright infringement recently. The hit list of recent intellectual property news goes like this:
1. The creators of The Hangover II almost had to delay the release of the film over a lawsuit from the artist behind Mike Tyson’s face tattoo.
2. Forever 21 is being sued again for too closely replicating high-fashion designs.
3. Christian Louboutin lost the rights to his infamous red soles.
4. New York Magazine’s fashion blog The Cut explored the questionably legal practices of customizing every day objects with copied designer logos.
What does this growing trend of counterfeiters mean for you, the lifeblood of the logo industry? Pay attention to copyright laws.
The lesson you can take from these copyright infringements is not to be concerned about the competition of a small group of college kids unwittingly illegally putting their school’s mascot on T-shirts. Rather, be concerned about the actual laws. Educate yourself so you don’t end up in a situation that could have been avoided had you done your research and gotten the right approval. Make sure the logos you are producing are not protected under copyright law, or if they are, that you have the clearance to reprint them. Many universities, sports teams and nationwide companies have copyrighted logos, but some smaller schools, teams and companies do as well so it is always safest to check.
You don’t want to end up like Christian Louboutin with a gorgeous product that no longer has value.
