Copyright issue - tshirts

clonmel1

Hi,

I was wondering would it break copyright to use the Red Cross Symbol on a funny tshirt

any advice you can give would be great

BrianD

Yes it would and would be very much the wrong thing to do. The symbol is protected by law and you have to apply to the Minister for Defence to use it.

Here's the purpose of the symbol:

1. to protect sick and wounded victims of war, and those authorised to care for them
2. to indicate that the person or object on which the emblem is displayed is connected with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

So I wouldn't!

clonmel1

thanks, i wouldn't be mocking the red cross or the symbol in anyway.

would i have to pay for the right to use it?

davo10

There are some symbols that mean to much to be used on "funny tshirts", the nazi symbol is one, I suggest the red cross is another. why on earth would you want to use something that is so important for your amusement?, you must be planning to sell these if you are asking about copyright, pick another symbol to mock.

BrianD

clonmel1 wrote: »

thanks, i wouldn't be mocking the red cross or the symbol in anyway.

would i have to pay for the right to use it?

I suspect that if you were allowed you would have to. I can't imagine that you would get permission in the first place. You have to seek it from the minister for defence.

Look around and it's actually very rare that you see the Red Cross symbol in use. First aid stations use white on green.

tricky D

It might be trademarked. Best option is to just ask them, info@redcross.ie

BrianD wrote: »

You have to seek it from the minister for defence.

Ehh, Defense???

BrianD

tricky D wrote: »

It might be trademarked. Best option is to just ask them, info@redcross.ie

Ehh, Defense???

Yes, The Minister of Defence. Use of the symbol is protected by law and he's the man to ask to use it. Covered by the Red Cross Act 1938.

The Red Cross has it's origins in the military - providing medical assistance on the battlefield.



4.—(1) On and after the date of the establishment of the Society it shall not be lawful for any person to use for the purpose of trade or business or any other purpose whatsoever, without the consent of the Minister for Defence, the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Federal colours of Switzerland or any emblem closely resembling such heraldic emblem, or the words “Cros Dearg” “Cros na Geinéibhe”, “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross” or any words closely resembling the words “Cros Dearg”, “Cros na Geinéibhe”, “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross”.

(2) If any person acts in contravention of this section such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

Fine was a tenner and confiscation of goods.

JBnaglfar

tricky D wrote: »

Ehh, Defense???

ehm, defence?

OP, I doubt you will get permission to use it. I imagine the Red Cross/Crescent would rather keep their symbols for identification of their personnel/equipment in life and death situations rather than use them on funny tshirts. Still, there's nothing wrong with finding out.

omahaid

"Unauthorised use of the emblem violates the Geneva Conventions Act 1957."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12135540

Jeez OP, you're aiming high, violating the Geneva Convention

crazygeryy

even if you wanted to ignore all of the above http://www.spreadshirt.com/
will do it for you.making fun of the red cross might be a bit much but i have sent them a few copyrighted things to be printed on tshirts and ive got them no problem.just as long as you dont mass produce them i suppose.great quality to.

ps no disrespect to all of the above answers.

BrianD

crazygeryy wrote: »

even if you wanted to ignore all of the above http://www.spreadshirt.com/
will do it for you.making fun of the red cross might be a bit much but i have sent them a few copyrighted things to be printed on tshirts and ive got them no problem.just as long as you dont mass produce them i suppose.great quality to.

ps no disrespect to all of the above answers.

They are just a manufacturer and will assume that you have the required permission to use any trademarks. You'll bear the brunt of any legal action for breach of contract.

From their T&C's

"The Shop Owner guarantees that the content and/or print designs – which he provided for use to Spreadshirt according to these general terms and conditions – was created by him and/or that he is the owner of all usage rights to the content and/or design, in particular rights concerning trademark, copyrights, patents, licenses and or other usage rights. The shop owner guarantees to be the sole and exclusive holder of the usage rights granted to Spreadshirt according to these general terms and conditions. "

They have pretty clear rules on trademark infringement.

The situation is clear. The use of the red cross emblem is protected by law and you won't get permission to use it in such a trivial manner.

dudara

Moved to Legal Discussion.

dudara

crazygeryy

BrianD wrote: »

Yes, The Minister of Defence. Use of the symbol is protected by law and he's the man to ask to use it. Covered by the Red Cross Act 1938.

The Red Cross has it's origins in the military - providing medical assistance on the battlefield.



4.—(1) On and after the date of the establishment of the Society it shall not be lawful for any person to use for the purpose of trade or business or any other purpose whatsoever, without the consent of the Minister for Defence, the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white ground formed by reversing the Federal colours of Switzerland or any emblem closely resembling such heraldic emblem, or the words “Cros Dearg” “Cros na Geinéibhe”, “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross” or any words closely resembling the words “Cros Dearg”, “Cros na Geinéibhe”, “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross”.

(2) If any person acts in contravention of this section such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section.

Fine was a tenner and confiscation of goods.

your right your absolutely right.but its ONE tshirt.(well i assume it is) i doubt anyone will arrest you for it or take you up on it.maybe ask you where you got it lol but like i said as long as you dont mass produce it.
id love to know what you mean by funny tshirt.what exactly are you going to do with the red cross?

Victor

The Red Cross flag is the reverse of the Swiss flag. Red on white instead of white on red.

I have a t-shirt with a Swiss flag, underneath it says 'Paraletic'. Its somewhat funny.

Funnier is that I don't drink.

BrianD

Victor wrote: »

The Red Cross flag is the reverse of the Swiss flag. Red on white instead of white on red.

I have a t-shirt with a Swiss flag, underneath it says 'Paraletic'. Its somewhat funny.

Funnier is that I don't drink.

Funny you can't pi$$ off the Swiss by law either! From the Red Cross Act.

9.—Section 5 of the Principal Act (which restricts the use of arms of the Swiss Confederation) is hereby amended as follows:—

(a) the following subsection shall be substituted for subsection (1):—

“(1) It shall not be lawful for any person to use or display as trade marks or commercial marks, or as part of such marks, or for purposes contrary to commercial honesty, or in circumstances capable of wounding Swiss national sentiment—

(a) any design consisting of a white or silver cross on a red ground, none of the limbs of which extends to the margin of the ground, being the cross comprised in the Arms of the Swiss Confederation, or

(b) any design which is a colourable imitation of such first-mentioned design.”

(b) subsection (3) shall be deleted.

crazygeryy wrote:

your right your absolutely right.but its ONE tshirt.(well i assume it is) i doubt anyone will arrest you for it or take you up on it.maybe ask you where you got it lol but like i said as long as you dont mass produce it.
id love to know what you mean by funny tshirt.what exactly are you going to do with the red cross?

One is unlikely to be caught but given the gravity and the symbolism of the Red Cross emblem it would be unwise to do it the first place.

Victor

What is "capable of wounding Swiss national sentiment"?

im invisible

the leatherman??

Max Power1

davo10 wrote: »

There are some symbols that mean to much to be used on "funny tshirts", the nazi symbol is one, I suggest the red cross is another. why on earth would you want to use something that is so important for your amusement?, you must be planning to sell these if you are asking about copyright, pick another symbol to mock.

Is that governed by similar legal restrictions or just moral objection?

The reason I ask is because I bought a funny tshirt with the nazi symbol ( a mass produced one) from a well known tshirt website online last year.

BrianD

Victor wrote: »

What is "capable of wounding Swiss national sentiment"?

Dunno. Anything that might upset them. Insulting their clocks or cheese?

Maxpower wrote:

Is that governed by similar legal restrictions or just moral objection?

The reason I ask is because I bought a funny tshirt with the nazi symbol ( a mass produced one) from a well known tshirt website online last year.

I wouldn't wear it in Germany and Poland where it is an offence to display the swastika.

There was an attempt to introduce an EU ban in 2005 but the Hundus objected as it's been used by them for over 5,000 years and is a symbol of peace in their religion.