is this copyright protected ?

[NASH]

Hello All

How would i find out if this is copyright procted i believe theres a lawyer on this forum

[Andrew]

Yep, I believe so as that Badge belongs to the FA. You would need to change it a fair bit as the three lions doesn't belong to them.

[NASH]

so can i use the St. George`s flagor the UNION JACK instead ?

[Andrew]

England flag is fine to use and even an abstract of just the three lions. Just try not to use the ones from the badge. The bulldog is another image that I have seen rolled out recently.

[TransferGraeme]

The phrases "The World Cup" and "World Cup 2010" are technically copyrighted to FIFA - and although they are unlikely to follow up on every printer who produces something with them on you are, strictly speaking, in breach of the copyright laws if you use them - as you also are if you use "The Olympics" and a whole range of other phrases which would seem to be in common currency.
The 3 lions badge is very strictly policed by the FA and I would strongly advise against using any design which is recognisably based on the badge, and I know they tried to copyright the words "three lions" though I'm not sure if this has yet been tested in court.
The St George's flag can be used as you will, as can the word "England" although again there is some question as to whether the FA have successfully copyrighted it in the font which they use on players' kit etc.
We have researched this all pretty carefully for our range of World Cup transfers, rhinestones, etc and it is an absolute minefield!

[Andrew]

I can't see anyway how anyone could copyright "The World Cup" as there are to many events that this covers and goes way beyond football. I bet there are many other World Cups happening this year. The Three Lions logo is a symbol from the distant past and long before football so they just have a version of that. Was Richard the Lionheart? Can't remember when checking. Basically, you just have to be careful.

[TransferGraeme]

All the other events are named slightly differently for example "The Rugby World Cup", etc - the 3 word phrase "The World Cup" and "World Cup 2010" are copyrighted to FIFA.
I have considerable experience of sports and event merchandising and I can assure you that governing bodies of other sports are very careful not to incur FIFA's wrath in these matters!
The three lions in that particular format with the heraldic "roses" in the badge is copyrighted to the FA, but you're right you can produce 3 lions in other formats - although in my experience football fans can be quite picky, and will reject anything which is not "the real thing".

[accdave]

Slight thread wander but same theme. How does everybody view their business prospects for thr World Cup

I did think it might generate some good business but having the seen the volume of stuff and more importantly the low price of stuff in the high st stores I'm not convinced it's going to make much difference. Mind you it''s early days yet

[jennywren]

I have been offered football mugs from wholesaler in boxes for as little as 90p they are tacky ( very tacky) but I agree with accdave that the market will be flooded with cheap imports it won't be worth touching. China will be doing flags, mugs, stickers, ect. It will be everwhere.

[Andrew]

Seems you are right Graeme that they have applied for a trademark on "world cup" and other variants such as 2010 etc. As it says applied does this mean it hasn't yet been granted? I can see Football World Cup and the obvious one's being straight forward for them. There is plenty that can be done that isn't seen as passing off on the England merchandise but agree that steering clear of Fifa and the FA is the only option.

Having said that like Dave mentioned, so many other people have jumped on the branded merchandise items the market will be flooded. I have a site half set-up but don't know if I can be bothered finishing it.