"Stay Calm" Copyright

[totallypersonal]

Hi there,

I'm sure I've read about this before, but can't find exactly what I am looking for.

I read about some company trying to trademark the "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan.

My question is; Has this now been registered, and as such can we no longer print this kind of deisgn?

Also, does this law apply to other "Keep Calm" slogans?

For example, is my product breaking any laws? http://totallypersonal.co.uk/index.php? ... duct_id=73 - It is a case about a footballer for the team which I support, Southend United. Also, I took the photo, so copyright with that is no problem!

Rob.

[cardman]

In August 2011 it was reported that a UK based company Keep Calm and Carry On Ltd had registered the slogan as a Community trade mark [SUP][11][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP] and issued a take-down request against a seller of Keep Calm and Carry On products.[SUP][13][/SUP] Questions have been raised whether the registration could be challenged as the slogan had been widely used before registration and is not recognisable as indicating trade origin.[SUP][12][/SUP] An application has been submitted to cancel the trademark on the grounds that the words are too widely used for one person to own the exclusive rights.[SUP][14][/SUP] The company is now trying to trademark globally in the United States [SUP][15][/SUP] and Canada.[SUP][16]


[/SUP]Its to widely used now so hard for anyone to claim ownership of the words considering it was used during the war for moral purposes.

[sarahjayne]

there's an old thread about it here
http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/sh ... light=calm

[John G]

It may be widely used but ebay are now taking down these copy's as he has the trademark on this phrase.

[letsgo]

Hi Rob to be honest wouldnt worry too much and dont think you will after reading article in the link below.
It was quite funny you should start this thread as i was just discussing this the other day and came across the article in the telegraph after someone mentioned it

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/world-war-2/8794171/Keep-Calm-and-Carry-On-poster-is-causing-a-storm.html

Gary

[cardman]

He dont own copyright to my words,kk maybe logo but change that to anything u like
Not saying u can copy it though m8,but if u change the design to one of your own then the original concept aint there is it.
I mean if u make a car and it has 4 wheels - it dont mean u copied it off another does it

[totallypersonal]

Ah good, was hoping that was the case.

Thanks everyone!

[cardman]

u seen price of a cup with the logo on

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/keep_calm_and_c ... 2542939266

[John G]

:biggrin: then the other end of the market.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEEP-CALM-AND-DRINK-COFFEE-MUG-KEEP-CALM-AND-DRINK-TEA-MUG-/220940117498?pt=UK_HG_Crockery_RL&var=&hash=item791655f774#ht_500wt_922

[John G]

and it's a MUG