Copyright Laws

impecunious

What is the legal position of using another company's logo on your own literature? For instance, if I opperated a shop that sold soft drinks, would I be able to use the coca-cola logo to promote the fact that I am selling it?

superscaper

Technically you need the copyright holder's (or more accurately in the case of logos trademark holder's) permission. It's under the copyright, design and patents act 1988 (I think, my memory's winding down for the night). In the case of advertising there may be an implied permission of you are supplied with advertising/promotional material. Basically if you're unsure, ask the people that own the copyright or trademarks. Even a quick email should be enough and if it's to the benefit of those companies they're unlikely to say no. If you make no attempt to gain permission you do leave yourself open to legal action from them. Many companies also have specific minimum requirements when using their logos when they give permission, (using the right colour tones, specific resolution requirements etc) so it's probably a good idea to communicate with them anyway as some are far more posessive over their intellectual property than others.

freddyfredfred

I can't comment about Coke in particular, but logos are registered trademarks (usually!) so in theory you'd need permission to use them - basically in order to stop:
a) passing off
b) Coke (say) seeming to endorse a disreuptable company.

In practice, big companies are very happy for their logos to be used in editorial contexts, eg newspapers and magazines, because as an illustration to a news story there's little chance of the above happening and it's free advertising.

I don't know about the example you give, but generally I'd say you'd need permission to use another company's logo on your own bumph. Obviously, if you're working with that company and you're above board, it should be pretty easy to ask and most times they'd be happy to help.

But if you don't have a relationship with the company, and you just want some of their glory - eg you'd like to call yourself the Disney Toy Shop - they'll put a stop to it!

impecunious

:beer: Thanks for your replies guys! :beer:

I was just checking my own interpretation of the copyright laws before I sent off the designs to the printers. And you have certainly shared my own point of view. Thanks!:T