Logo Copyright Dispute

[MB34]

I was a webmaster for a local baseball league in Texas and created a logo for the league's use. I never had them sign permission to use the logo and never waived my rights to the art. I was not even the webmaster when I created it, I became the webmaster later and designed the league's website based on the logo.

Now, I have had a falling out with the league pres., am no longer member and I don't want them to use my logo.

Besides, HE has modified it without my authority on several occasions.

Any legs to stand on here or should I just let this lie?

[jk]

How did it come about that you designed a logo for them?

[MB34]

How did it come about that you designed a logo for them?

I did it on my own, they did not ask me to nor contract me to do it.

[jk]

then I would believe you still own the art and as such can restrict the usage. The problem is (again, if I recall correctly) you will need to register your copyright to be able to ask a court to enforce it.

[aaron]

Prompt registration is necessary to collect statutory damages, but not to simply enforce copyright. Litigation is costly.

[MB34]

So I can prevent him from using it but not collect any damages. I will have to register it
however, correct? What if he claims to be owner because they've been using it with
implied permission, because I was webmaster, for 8 years.

[LawResearcherMissy]

What if he claims to be owner because they've been using it with implied permission, because I was webmaster, for 8 years.

Unless you explicitly signed over permission to use the logo forever, his claim is very weak.

Speak with an attorney in your area and have a cease and desist letter drafted, demanding that he stop using your intellectual property immediately and explicitly rescinding any permission he may have had to use it.

[MB34]

Here's another thing. The league is a part of a national organization and this national organization allows it's member leagues to use portions of it's logo in their own logos.
The lgo does contain a portion of the national org. logo in it. What if he contacts the national org about the C&D and says, "Hey, he has a portion of your log in it, why don't
you sue him?"

I just want him to quit using the logo because he has modified it several times and I'm not happy about it.

[jk]

well, if the nat'l org allowed the use, then at most, they can now say; don't use it anymore.

so, you can prevent the use of your design and the nat'l can prevent your use of their design.

bottom line; local chapter does not get to use your design and you do not get to either.

[MB34]

Personally, I don't care to use it unless I take control of the league, which doesn't look like it's going to happen. I just want to prevent him from using it because he is a nazi a*hole.
If he wasn't such a beast, I might license him to use it for a price...