Hi All.
Some great inputs, thanks to all. I'll deal with things in no real order, from posts this far:
Retro Spud":3jj44t31 said:
Gruff":3jj44t31 said:
@Regan
Has anyone asked the Guvnor for permission to use the Retrobike name/Logo? just as a courtesy.
I think that ship sailed a few years ago, If ever there was a place - of the people, by the people and for the people .... Its today’s Retro Bike
I think it’s clear by the lack of input of late - we’re by enlarge totally on our own these days,
Personally I wouldn’t waste my time with a PM, really appreciate what John did and mean no malice here - but he’s walked away !
TBH Gruff I'm embarrassed to say I haven't
It was an assumption that it would be okay. I briefly discussed picking upo the baton of designing - even making and selling - new RB jerseys with Gil a few months ago. But lots have moved on since then, and I really don't want to get involved on directly infringing on the RB brand.
Spud has hit the nail on the head and I've seen & heard all about issue with the Guv'nor and the site. Nuff said. On our own we are.
Anyway, the trademark is no longer valid so it's free to use, legally speaking. Al-onestare is pretty much on the money with comparing to the legal date on the site. (Unless it really is 2015 and I'm typing this from the DeLorean?)
Moving on...
Logos: As per above, and just FYI, I'm well enough versed with the ins and out of registered trademarks and use or misuse, therof, having previously registered my own. It's a legal minefield, with the little knowledge I have I could navigate well enough around some things, but NO WAY JOSÉ am I getting into a potential legal wrangling with a multi-million value, multinational company, such as Apple, Halfrds, VISA, McD's, Philip Morris, etc, who have they're own in-house lawyers who'd relish rinsing anyone over even the pettiest of logo misuse.
I am also not in favour of making a fag packet branding (this is retro MTB, not retro F1), cheap and nasty corner shops from yesteryear branding, or a "free plug" to Johnnycomelately or whoever. You want ads, you pay for them.
BUT, in the spirit of getting a pro-look and just for fun, I am willing to explore the use of old MTB logos, and even putting a call/email into those who are still in the marketplace, but the likes of Shimano - who not everybody loves for their own reasons - might be willing to allow use of their logos but wouldn't allow them to be displayed together with Suntour or SACHS or similar, same goes for Orange, Hope, Pace (I should imagine) being happy to let us use their logo on a jersey, espeically if it's free advertising, but probably not alongside similar or competitior companies like Whyte, Stif, Magura, RocKShox, etc. I don't know how to articulate it better in text form, but those companies might want the whole lot or nothing at all.
And I am willing to have a bit of fun with making anything anyone wants if there's no written trail! As in, pop round for a cuppa, we chat, ketch and discuss ideas in a verified discreet location, no phones, nothing in writing, pay me in cash, and I physcially hand deliver a full on Crapple, Halfrauds, Shisa, Stiffy, CockShox, Shitmano, ShitGripf, whatever. But that AIN;T gonna happen, being realistic.
Making a replica of an older jersey or a combination of styles might work? Maybe a combination of familiar old school designs, like a montage> 8 sections, 4 front 4 back, 2 different sleeves, with the colours/patterns of retro favourites? (Thinking as I type....)
The Fat Chance team design
Kona Joe Murray design
Orange spots
Klein colours
Yeti design
Shimano blues and greens
etc.
Like those 50:50 football or rugby shirts that used to get sold, like half Everton half Arsenal, or whatever?
I also love the Badger idea i.p.o. FOX, but that COULD get tricky, depending how it's drawn and displayed (context). I did mock up DoG and CoW a while ago in the FOX tail logo style. That kinda keeps it visually on point, and possibly the right sort of funny/complimentary for FOX?
Getting late. Losing the plot. Will sketch something soon/over Crimbo.
