FDNY Washington Heights Truck w/Yosemite Sam Logo

[b52turkish]

Sorry for the long thread title, wanted it to stick out.

Logo here:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/...f6ce59c3ec.jpg

Anyway, my dept is looking to use a similar (not the same!!) logo on our new trucks. I was just wondering if anybody knows anything about copyright/trademark issues when using characters. Any help is appreciated.

[pasobuff]

YES - there are issues - also with naming a character......we recently had to change the name of 'our' dog due to the name being the same as a large corporation.....couldn't use the name publicly.....

[FWDbuff]

I know that Disney is very protective of their characters and I have heard of some fire departments getting a light smacking from Disney corporate attorneys.

[tree68]

A lot will have to do with how you use it, too. Keep it on the up-and-up and you're less likely to run into issues.

That said, if it is a copyrighted image, I'd consider a letter to the copyright/trademark holder. Best case is that they say "OK," just put "TM" next to it. Worst case is that they say no way, no how, in which case you've saved yourself some hassle down the road.

Some trademark holders are very protective of their property - one railroad even sued and was charging some significant bucks for licenses so model railroad suppliers could do models of their equipment.