is this copyright protected ?

[accdave]

Went in our local Wilkinsons yesterday ( it's not difficult, our shop is part of their building ), car flags 2 for 50p

[Paul]

there you go ;( 50p for 2... there is no way we can compatate with them and they prices. but I think there is quite few people on here who are missing something we dont do sublimation to copy somone else work... we have sublimation to be unique!

[Andrew]

That is it Paul and what we have set up for the world cup. Sublimation in the UK is not really going to compete with the imported, mass produced items although has it's own strengths which you have to work to. Most of these flags are polyester so 50p for 2 is great as a base product to then create something unique.

[chongsta]

Could you use a "shield" image, with a 3 lions crest from days of yore and "england" in a similar font?

or...does the simple use of all 3 in one image constitute copying of the FA's emblem?

cheers
Dave.

[bms]

Could you use a "shield" image, with a 3 lions crest from days of yore and "england" in a similar font?

or...does the simple use of all 3 in one image constitute copying of the FA's emblem?

I suspect therein lies a legal question and plenty of opportunity for legal teams to earn plenty arguing over this. I would err on the side of caution and if it looks like the official logo then it's likely to infringe in some way. I remember certain confectionary items being copied and even though it didn't say Mars on the outside, the fact it was in a black wrapper and in red writing it was close enough to infringe...

[TransferGraeme]

From my experience of this (and I have about 20 years in various aspects of corporate and event merchandising) and to be very simplistic about it (and as I'm not a lawyer I can be) if the representation is sufficiently similar to the "real" badge, trademark or whatever as to confuse a "typical member of the public" into thinking that it is an official product, or officially endorsed by the owner of the trademark, the event organiser, etc then that is sufficient to make action possible. Martin's example of the confectionery item above is a good one - there was also a case where a chocolate manufacturer introduced a new milk chocolate range in purple foil - which disappeared from the shelves in days. In the world of sport there are many examples - Wimbledon, for example, have stopped many tennis products which feature green and purple colour schemes, and at the last Olympics a major sportswear manufacturer found themselves in trouble for producing an item with 5 bands of colour in the same order as the Olympic rings on a range of garments.
In the case of the three lions - my interpretation would be that if you produced a shield with 3 heraldic lions in blue on a white shield, even if they were different lions, then you would be courting trouble, and given that the colour is quite crucial in relation to the England team my advice would be to steer well clear.

[chongsta]

Bah!

Thanks for the info though.

I think Ill stick to the George cross design then.

cheers
Dave.

[jennywren]

On a lighter note I have had some England stuff that I brought when they were last playing, so hopeful I can get something on this stuff thats been a box of the last 4 years or so, even if I get 50p I'll be happy. hats, flags mugs

[bms]

On a lighter note I have had some England stuff that I brought when they were last playing, so hopeful I can get something on this stuff thats been a box of the last 4 years or so, even if I get 50p I'll be happy. hats, flags mugs

I should get in quick with these, whilst England are still in the competition Oh "bah humbug" I hear you all cry - don't tell me you weren't at least thinking the same

[Kaz]

I heard something on the radio today, "Cheryl Cole will announce the divorce from Ashley just before England play in the final" Nothing like wishful thinking,