Using town names?
- Thread starter Jychf
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It gets a bit tricky, and I don't fully understand all the restrictions, but I do know that even buildings can be protected from commercial unauthorized uses. My understanding is that, in general, if you are not using it for commercial purposes, most everything is open game, but then there is the internet, and lawyers stretching boundaries of what is commercial. Being that you want to use names on products, I would certainly consult a lawyer before getting your pants sued off of you.
I would think that the big difference between your example of Destin and Seaside, is that Seaside is a private development while Destin is a (public) city.
...but, I'm not a lawyer.
I would think that the big difference between your example of Destin and Seaside, is that Seaside is a private development while Destin is a (public) city.
...but, I'm not a lawyer.
If you can give us a bit more info...
Seaside with a small "s" is a common name (pertaining to beside the sea) and not protected, but the town's logo is. Since the town is a private entity you don't want to represent yourself as being a part of that entity. If they had named it Seeside, they might have been able to trademark it. That's why you see so many seemingly stupid spellings of businesses and products like Kwicky Mart, etc.
Seaside with a small "s" is a common name (pertaining to beside the sea) and not protected, but the town's logo is. Since the town is a private entity you don't want to represent yourself as being a part of that entity. If they had named it Seeside, they might have been able to trademark it. That's why you see so many seemingly stupid spellings of businesses and products like Kwicky Mart, etc.
Well, I have a product that I'm going to be selling in local stores this spring and to add to the appeal of the product, I want to incorporate the location on it. Compare it to t-shirts that say Destin or Grayton Beach, etc...it's a tourist keepsake. I've already gotten permission from a few local businesses to use their logos but I have to sell to them at cost and they will distribute them. I'm just not sure about the whole town thing. I'm assuming that they can be used freely considering all of the t-shirt shops that are around.....I'd love to get the Seaside business but I'm sure that process would take a while, maybe next year.
Shouldn't be a problem except for some like Seaside, Alys Beach, Rosemary, Watercolor, etc. who have tight control on marketing and branding, and sell their own logo products. You would need to contact their marketing departments for use. They might like to participate depending on the product and your business.
Bad assumption. Just because you haven't read about lawsuits against them, doesn't mean that there isn't some infringement on their Copyrights.
Go to a college football game or a frat house, and you will see plenty of examples of unlicensed merchandise.
To use an old chess phrase, "When in doubt, check it out."
