Posts Tagged ‘Logo Theft’
-
06October
- Apple Fighting to Keep it’s Logo Identity
-
It’s easy to steal a logo, even if you don’t always intend to. Some logos are so ingrained in our subconscious that even if we try to think up an original concept, it is usually spawned by some sort of inspiration from another famous logo. What is the difference between logo theft and being inspired by someone else’s design? That is a very fine line, which gives lawyers a field day when dealing with copyright infringement.
A recent case of a possible stolen logo identity is between the well known Australian super store Woolworth’s redesign and the ever so popular, Apple logo. The recent redesign of the Woolworth’s logo, which is a peeled apple in the shape of a “W,” has created a stir since it slightly resembles Apple’s famous icon. Apple has pleaded with the government agency in charge of Australian trademarks to deny Woolworth’s application for the logo change. The decision has not yet been made, but if Woolworths wins, they will have the right to put the logo on all their products, even their electronics.
Is this really a case of theft or does Apple just want to trademark anything that has the do with the popular fruit? What do you think?
-Nora Reed
Tags: apple, Logo, Logo Design, Logo Theft, woolworths
Posted in Graphic Design, Logo Design News, Logo Inspiration, LogoBlog | 10 Comments »
-
01April
- Logo theft happens all over the world
-
I received these photos in an email and thought it would be interesting to post them. Take a look the vast popularity of the logos for some major companies. Some logos are so famous the consumers know exactly what they are without words. That is ultimately the goal of any company’s marketing department: to create a “signature” for the company that stands out in the consumer’s memory. Take McDonald’s for example. The simple golden arches are so famously known that the name of the restaurant is not even needed. Once we see that large, yellow “M,” we know exactly what that stands for and begin thinking about juicy hamburgers.
Apparently these logos are known all over the world and with people having knowledge of a logo’s fame; they sometimes use this to their advantage. A logo that is already known is easier to market rather than starting from scratch. Some sellers may even just change the logo slightly to avoid a copyright issue, but other just steal the idea anyway to sell more of their own products. Is it ok for people to do this without giving necessary credit to the original designer? Or, are they already offering credit by displaying the logo everywhere? I found these photos interesting and wanted to share how logos can gain so much popularity globally that they are used even for imitation to try to sell a product.
Although these may be comical, they clearly show how a brand identity transcends the global market. It doesn’t matter how developed or sound a nation’s economy is at the time, a famous logo can still sell a product. It comes down to popularity once again when the whole idea is selling and people know that familiarity sells because people can trust what they are buying, or at least think they can. That’s what branding is all about.
Tags: branding, foreign countries, global logos, identity, Logo Design, Logo Theft
Posted in Logo Design Tips, Logo Theft | No Comments »
