Bedford, TX asked in Copyright and Trademark for Texas

Q: Can I make a Tshirt design with the name of a HighSchool but with the same style as the logo of a movie?

Like if I design the school name or organization but in the same style as The Top Gun movie logo or The Godfather, is that okay? Like the same logo but just change the words? And maybe not the exact same colors?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
Answered
  • Trademarks Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD

A: Doing as you suggest would likely land you in hot water for several reasons. 1. The school has rights in its name and, unless you have its permission to use it, using it could cause confusion with the public as to whether the school was endorsing your activity, which would not be the case. 2. The producers of the movies you reference have trademark and copyright rights in their logos, so again, unless you have their permission, the use you propose would not be a good idea. Changing the color of the logo would make no difference as to their claim that your use is infringing.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.