Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Maryland

I want to design and sell tee shirts that support my local nfl team. Can I sell tee shirts that use the team name but are taken out of context because they come from known phrases. For example, can i sell tee shirts with the phrase "Lion's den" on them if I was a Detroit fan? Can I sell a tee shirt that reads "In there stepped a stately Raven..." if I was a Baltimore fan? Is it trademark infringement if the team's name is taken totally out of context from how the team actually uses it?


Asked on 9/20/10, 8:00 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Phillip M. Cook Cook Legal Services, LLC

Whether you legally "can" or "can't" is beside the point. The NFL is EXTREMELY vigilant about protecting it's trademarks, service marks, etc. If they get wind that you are trying to be cute and make money off their product, they will likely come after you with the full force of a Ray Lewis hit. My advice is to tread carefully and hire a patent/trademark/intellectual property law firm that is very experienced in these matters to advise you BEFORE you proceed.

Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.*******

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Answered on 10/01/10, 2:16 am


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