Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Illinois

Sports logos

I am a librarian and I am making a bibliography on Chicago Sports and I would like to know if I am legally allowed to use the sports team logos on the bibliography. This is for decoration only, no profit will come from using the logos.

I am not sure if the use of sports logos is an infringement of copyright or trademark. Could you please let me know if I am legally allowed to use the logos on my bibliography. Or for that matter, if you could tell me where in the law I could find the answer.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

--name removed--Hilton


Asked on 6/14/04, 4:59 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Donald R. Simon The EIP group

Re: Sports logos

Your question deals with the use of trademarks and not copyrights, so the "Fair Use" defense from the previous post does not apply. However, if you are merely putting together a bibliography for use in your library for patrons to use and your use of the logos does not create a "likelihood of confusion" as to the source of that bibliography, you will probably be OK. Many of these sports teams have licensing departments who just deal with uses of team logos. If you want to be absolutely certain, you may want to contact each team's licensing department.

If you need assistance from someone familiar with the difference between trademarks and copyrights, feel free to contact my firm here in Illinois. www.entertainmentlawchicago.com

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Answered on 6/15/04, 10:22 am
Jonas Grant Law Office of Jonas M. Grant, A.P.C.

Re: Sports logos

If the answer isn't clear to you from perusing this site, http://fairuse.stanford.edu/, then you should seek the aid of a licensed intellectual property attorney (licensed in California and Illinois).

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Answered on 6/14/04, 5:22 pm


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