I spoke to a few people regarding the use of the forum's logo for a little side business idea for the Z community. I spoke to one of the IB staff on the forum and he replied back saying he wasn't sure but the consensus was leaning towards no, as in can't use the logo. If it is somehow protected, how is
http://www.webxtremes.com/custommy350zdecals.htm able to produce and sell decals? Maybe there affiliated with IB, I dunno. Any ideas?

 

moving to feedback section

 

Everything on the site is copyrighted...

http://www.internetbrands.com/ib/ter...ite=my350z.com

 

If that sticker place is not affiliated with the site in any official capacity, they should not be selling a sticker with the site logo. end of story.

 

That may be so but if you're not displaying the TM symbol next to your logos (which this website does not), good luck getting that to hold up in court.

Anyone can claim a copyright or trademark on a website, blog, logo, photo or any digital, written or printed material they created but if it's not registered with the trademark and/or copyright offices, it means virtually nothing.

 

Awesome how IB chimes in instantly when it involves money.

 

You are 100% incorrect. Your work is copyrighted the moment you create it in a tangible form.

 

This is pretty much what i was looking for. Funny how a non IB staff member provided me that...

 

I guess this explains the company selling those decals.

 

Two different issues entirely.

This may help some of you making assumptions without fact...

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

 

I believe that site is owned by WXSigns, who is a former vendor. I have a set of his decals.

 

I answered it because I didn't expect that IB would - they don't normally get involved in threads unless one of us asks them to.

 

I meant that, that the company is not abiding by the copyright/trademark protection law. As you stated, copyright protection is implemented the moment the work is created but generally, registration is voluntary (according to the website you linked). So for the case of that decal company and IB, if IB wanted to pursue legal action for trademark infringement, they would have register. But in all likely hood, that would probably not happen due to court costs, lawyer fees, etc. So basically, its illegal for what there doing, but until IB takes action and registers, they can maintain what there doing?

 

No unregistered trademark holder has ever successfully sued for infringement.

 

I'm surprised they're not jumping on the idea, as it's advertisement.

 

This has nothing to do with IB jumping at money, it has to do with a member who clearly wants to make products to sell with our logo. When he was told this was not going to be acceptable, he started this thread and is attempting to stir the pot.

We are currently discussing the idea of introducing a yearly fundraiser drive for one, or several charitable organizations which are important to the staff of this site. If this idea is implemented, one of the rewards offered for donating will be free my350z merchandise like stickers or t shirts.

With this in mind, it should be clear why we want to restrict the manufacture of items related to the site.

 

If I remember correctly, the logo that our forum uses now was actually created by one of our own forum members. He donated the logo to the forum and certain vendor(s) were allowed to sell products with said logo.

 

I dont know if I could recognize the logo without a google ad next to it or below it. Just sayin...

 

While I don't know the exact statistics, if you want to protect your ****, register it.

 

Oh goody, free stickers.

I'd rather win actual car modifications.