Ask HN: If a t-shirt includes a logo (FB, AT&T) is it automatically infringement?
I want to make a t-shirt that shows my dissatisfaction with some companies and also in support of others. Basic example for simplicity:
"Vote Yes DuckDuckGo"
"AT&T Sucks"
Is it infringement to use a logo/symbol on a shirt as fair use as long as it is clearly not representative of the companies service/product? If a logo is not useable would text equiv; e.g. AT&T instead of their branding, be useable?
Does it matter if the t-shirt is for sale vs. personal use?
Thanks
4 comments
[ 5.0 ms ] story [ 23.1 ms ] threadSome thoughts not constituting legal advice:
If a logo is an RTM then probably the company name is too.
Usually the important line is "commercial" vs non-commercial; that said in USA, at least, use of a trademark doesn't become infringing just because it's used commercially.
If you're just wearing a tshirt you made with "AT&T sucks" on it will anyone who cares at AT&T ever see it, if they sue for damages what's their claim going to be based on - like are you intending to cause substantial damage somehow?
You could be less cagey about your specific intentions if you want actual applicable "opinion".
I am considering literally an "AT&T sucks" t. I am going to likely get more creative and do political cartoonish art but I don't have a lot of concrete ideas yet.
I am considering selling these shirts to encourage people to vote with their wallets and inform them about potential negative side-effects of supporting these companies.