Using car manufacture logos on signage?

mccannable · 09-23-2014, 06:49 PM

Is there legal issues in using logos on flag banners at my shop? My sign guy said we couldn't, not that he couldn't, but we couldn't.

DemolitionJim · 09-23-2014, 07:29 PM

if you aren't selling them then there shouldn't be an issue (i.e. people painting bmw logos in their garages, etc.) but if it can be misconstrued as a selling point or misrepresentation then it will more than likely be frowned up.

might have to double check as i do not know all the legal terminology for it.

mccannable · 09-23-2014, 10:39 PM

The only thing we sell is a one stop solution for your European auto car needs!

But in seriousness, thanks for the advice.

Mr Tonka · 09-23-2014, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccannable

Is there legal issues in using logos on flag banners at my shop? My sign guy said we couldn't, not that he couldn't, but we couldn't.

It'll probably take a while for them to find you and have their attorneys send you the legal bits. Don't forget that BMW dealers make more money in a month from their service department than they do from selling cars all year long.

You can not use their logos when offering goods or services pertaining to the manufactures who own the rights to those logos. The manufacture cares much less about this than the local dealers, but the manufacturers have to protect their associates.

You can use the words, BMW, Mercedes, etc... but not their logos. I have a friend with a European shop and he ran into this problem. Tried to fight it for a brief moment, then came to his senses.

mccannable · 09-23-2014, 10:57 PM

I assume they would issue a cease and desist before they persued it further.

Mr Tonka · 09-23-2014, 11:20 PM

Yeah, you would think.

MYovichZ4 · 09-24-2014, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccannable

Is there legal issues in using logos on flag banners at my shop? My sign guy said we couldn't, not that he couldn't, but we couldn't.

I'm not disputing the legality, just saying that you can buy banners on Amazon already logo'd (tons to choose from).

Maestro · 09-24-2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemolitionJim

if you aren't selling them then there shouldn't be an issue (i.e. people painting bmw logos in their garages, etc.) but if it can be misconstrued as a selling point or misrepresentation then it will more than likely be frowned up.

might have to double check as i do not know all the legal terminology for it.

I have local shop with the big BMW logo painted on the front of the shop can not miss it. But I believe it is also a licensed shop from a long time ago, he has been in business for a long time.

If you are a business and you are not license to use their logo then you can not display it, there is no fair use for logo use when you are business yourself.

johncieera · 09-29-2014, 10:42 AM

I don't think there is a problem with that. I have seen many shop owners do that

Don N. · 09-30-2014, 01:20 PM

You can't use their logos. It's their trademark, even if you are selling their products. Do people still do it? Sure, but doesn't mean that it's legal to do technically.

09-23-2014, 06:49 PM	#1
mccannable First Lieutenant 207 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: central fl iTrader: (2)	Using car manufacture logos on signage? Is there legal issues in using logos on flag banners at my shop? My sign guy said we couldn't, not that he couldn't, but we couldn't.
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09-23-2014, 07:29 PM	#2
DemolitionJim Lieutenant 52 Rep 418 Posts Drives: E92 MW M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (5)	if you aren't selling them then there shouldn't be an issue (i.e. people painting bmw logos in their garages, etc.) but if it can be misconstrued as a selling point or misrepresentation then it will more than likely be frowned up. might have to double check as i do not know all the legal terminology for it.
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09-23-2014, 10:39 PM	#3
mccannable First Lieutenant 207 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: central fl iTrader: (2)	The only thing we sell is a one stop solution for your European auto car needs! But in seriousness, thanks for the advice. Last edited by mccannable; 09-23-2014 at 10:47 PM..
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09-23-2014, 10:57 PM	#5
mccannable First Lieutenant 207 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: central fl iTrader: (2)	I assume they would issue a cease and desist before they persued it further.
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09-23-2014, 11:20 PM	#6
Mr Tonka is probably out riding. 6061 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Something Italian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sweatypeninsula iTrader: (0)	Yeah, you would think. __________________ "There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
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09-29-2014, 10:42 AM	#9
johncieera New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: The Audi A4 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sri Lanka iTrader: (0)	I don't think there is a problem with that. I have seen many shop owners do that
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09-30-2014, 01:20 PM	#10
Don N. Brigadier General 191 Rep 3,393 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	You can't use their logos. It's their trademark, even if you are selling their products. Do people still do it? Sure, but doesn't mean that it's legal to do technically.
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