Legal Question in Business Law in New York

Logo Infringement

Is it all right to take a famous company logo and slogan and alter them to put on a t-shirt? Example, the Syracuse Football team plays in the Carrier Dome. I want to make a t-shirt that looks like The Home Depot logo and slogan; but it says, The Dome Depot ''Cuse can do it, we can help.'' Is this all right to do?


Asked on 11/30/06, 3:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

William Frenkel Frenkel Sukhman LLP

Re: Logo Infringement

Company logos are normally protected as trademarks, which may include the name, graphic designs and other elements. Reproducing them (with or without modifying them) without a permission of the mark owner is liable to result in a trademark infringement action. There is a very narrow area of "fair use" that applies to certain not-for-profit activities, educational activities, journalism protected by the First Amendment and non-commercial parody but you would be wise to consult a trademark attorney before attempting to copy a company logo or brand.

Read more
Answered on 11/30/06, 4:20 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in New York