Bolivar, OH asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Ohio

Q: Made a logo for business as a favor for a friend who worked there but is now gone. Can I order cease and desist

Designed a simple logo for a friend to use at his place of employment a few years back, but they just recently forced his resignation and I no longer want them to use my logo. I was never paid for the logo and never gave any sort of formal rights of ownership to them, just sent him the file and told him he could use that. Do I still legally own the rights to the logo and can I order a cease and desist? If so, am I legally permitted to demand compensation for the use of the logo over the past 5 years since they sold clothing and other items with the logo on it? Also, can I demand compensation for them to continue to use the logo?

1 Lawyer Answer
Will Blackton
Will Blackton
Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • Raleigh, NC

A: You were not an employee of this company, so absent a written transfer of rights, you retain the copyright in your work. As to the rest of your questions, an attorney will need to review any communications between you and your friend or his former company to determine what your rights may be.

1 user found this answer helpful

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