Using the M-Dot Logo

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2008-09-05 8:50 AM

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Veteran
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Long Island, NY
Subject: Using the M-Dot Logo
I am looking to create a shirt for my family and friends that will be heading down to IMFL with me. I was up in Lake Placid this summer and noticed a few shirts that people had made up with the M-Dot logo on them. Is this something that Ironman allows or are the people just ignoring trademark laws?

2008-09-05 8:57 AM
in reply to: #1652319

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2008-09-05 10:06 AM
in reply to: #1652319

Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
triwor - 2008-09-05 9:50 AM
Is this something that Ironman allows or are the people just ignoring trademark laws?


Neither, it's not a violation.

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm
7. What constitutes trademark infringement?
8. What constitutes trademark dilution?
9. What other potential causes of action are there?

You're not selling or looking to gain from using the trademarked symbol so even if they did go after you, they'd have a hell of a time proving infringement or dilution. To what end are the people making their own shirts? Generally to be part of a group and the only money asked is to recover parts and materials for making the shirts.
2008-09-05 10:12 AM
in reply to: #1652319

Veteran
321
100100100
Georgia
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo

Will you be sued?  Almost definitely not unless you open a stand outside the expo and start selling a lot of them.  I assure you that your family and friends will not be the only people with non-licensed M-Dot shirts at IMFL. 



Edited by cwsiii 2008-09-05 10:15 AM
2008-09-05 12:13 PM
in reply to: #1652560

Champion
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5000500100
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
I made these for my family last year:

2008-09-05 12:20 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
Technically you are probably supposed to get permission.
In reality, it probably doens't matter.

It would be very difficult for Ironman to track everywhere their logo is being used without permission and take action. Most companies only pay attention when someone is trying to profit from it.


2008-09-05 1:32 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo

Is is copyright infringement?   Yes, whether you seek to use another's copyright for profit or not is irrelevant.  Is it fair use or parody?  No. 

Will you get sued?  As others have said, extremely unlikely unless you are making money off it

2008-09-05 4:15 PM
in reply to: #1652984

Elite
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Raleigh
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo

CubeFarmGopher - 2008-09-05 12:13 PM I made these for my family last year:

 

I never received my design money from that creation Shaun....

2008-09-06 11:39 AM
in reply to: #1652319

Extreme Veteran
481
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The Land of Mickey-Orlando
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
We had a friend create this logo for us for IM FL this year. We changed it a little bit to protect the guilty!!!



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isz-m.jpeg (17KB - 118 downloads)
2008-09-07 9:53 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Extreme Veteran
426
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Lenexa, KS
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
I saw M-Dot logo shirts all over today in Wisconsin. I thought the same thing when I saw these custom shirts, but I figured - whatever - they aren't selling them. I'd say yes, it probably isn't supposed to be done, but I'd also say there's no way they will care.

2008-09-09 9:25 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Member
271
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Ontario
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo

You have to be using it for profit or gain to be illegal.  Ironman is getting free publicity this way, so they're unlikely to object. 

K 



2008-09-12 9:23 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Regular
111
100
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
I saw lots of homemade shirts in Lake placid, but dont even think of useing any Disney logos, because the WILL go after you and your childern too.

Edited by seankun 2008-09-12 9:25 PM
2008-09-12 9:37 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Champion
6999
50001000500100100100100252525
Chicago, Illinois
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
yeah I think WTC or who ever owns it now wants to get. Family of Ironman racer gets sued because they wanted to chear on there family. yeah that would be a big boast for them.
2008-09-14 2:12 PM
in reply to: #1652319

Extreme Veteran
484
100100100100252525
McHenry, IL
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
I've done it a couple times with no problems.  Here was the artwork we did this year, front and back.  Both my brother and I did IMWI this year.  I think we had about 20 total family members in these shirts.  I figure worst case whoever is printing the shirts may recognize it as a registered trademark and would decline to print it, but I've done it with a couple different printers with no problems.


Edited by Steve in IL 2008-09-14 2:14 PM




(IMShirts_Front.jpg)



(IMShirts_Back.jpg)



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IMShirts_Front.jpg (20KB - 14 downloads)
IMShirts_Back.jpg (16KB - 15 downloads)
2008-09-15 4:04 PM
in reply to: #1653768

Pro
4672
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Nutmeg State
Subject: RE: Using the M-Dot Logo
trigods - 2008-09-05 5:15 PM

CubeFarmGopher - 2008-09-05 12:13 PM I made these for my family last year:

 

I never received my design money from that creation Shaun....

I would think Chick fil-A might not be too happy with that design . . .

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