Pitt ordering Toledo Whitmer to remove Panther from field

• CardsFlyinHigh

  http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7403322
  
  Just a stupid thing on Pitts part. What does it hurt to have a high school using your logo? How many schools have the Florida State spear on their helmets and they've never said a word.
• Steel Valley Football

  CardsFlyinHigh wrote: http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7403322
  
  Just a stupid thing on Pitts part. What does it hurt to have a high school using your logo? How many schools have the Florida State spear on their helmets and they've never said a word.

  
  I don't think FSU was the first to use that spear and I don't think they invented it. Also, most high schools you see using a spear have a variation on the FSU one if you look close.
• CardsFlyinHigh

  same thing with Whitmer. It wasnt exactally pitt's logo but close enough. I just don't get why Pitt is so upset with someone using their logo. I would think it would be a good thing.
• Steel Valley Football

  Well, it has to be the same or close enough or Pitt wouldn't have a case. Pitt is "upset" because income is being made from a school using their logo. Pitt either gets a royalty (if Pitt chooses that route) or Whitmer has to stop using it. Pitt can also just say stop using it or we'll take you to court. The Toledo school system can't afford a lawsuit like that.
  
  This isn't a new thing either. A few years ago several colleges did this. I recall Wisconsin ordering Wapak and some other schools to stop using their logo or else change it altogether, which I think Wapak did.
• Fabio

  My high school essentially used the same exact helmet design of the New Orleans Saints for all of the 90's and up until the 2002 season, which they switched to a white flor de lis logo, but I remember our school formally asking the Saints permission to use their logo for our athletic teams.
• irish_buffalo

  Big nothing story.
  
  Whitmer has changed their logo to one that a student came up which is better than the Pitt one which they probably paid a company $100,000's of dollars to come up with.
  
  By the way Steel Valley the Toledo Public School system has nothing to do with this as Toledo Whitmer is governed by Washington Local Schools.
• Steel Valley Football

  irish_buffalo wrote: Big nothing story.
  
  Whitmer has changed their logo to one that a student came up which is better than the Pitt one which they probably paid a company $100,000's of dollars to come up with.
  
  By the way Steel Valley the Toledo Public School system has nothing to do with this as Toledo Whitmer is governed by Washington Local Schools.

  
  LOL so Washington Local then. My point was that no school system can afford to go to court with a major university over something like this (they will likely lose).
• MANAZE

  

  Forget Pitt for now on. If you want to pick on a HS that you don't deserve support. I'm sure that HS isn't making millions on their logo. I'd like to see someone sue Pitt because they aren't the first to use the panther either and I bet somewhere there is someone who said hey look that design looks just like the one we have.
• Keith

  I'd like to hear from Pitt how they are being hurt by Whitmers use of the logo. How much money is it costing the university due to a HIGH SCHOOL in ohio using a logo that is similar to theirs?
• Altor

  Keith wrote: I'd like to hear from Pitt how they are being hurt by Whitmers use of the logo. How much money is it costing the university due to a HIGH SCHOOL in ohio using a logo that is similar to theirs?

  It doesn't matter how much money Pitt is losing, if any. If the owner of a trademark finds out somebody is (mis)using their mark, they have to defend it. If they don't defend it, then they risk losing exclusive rights to that mark.
• ManO'War

  

  correct...its all about copyright protection.
  
  Personally I hate when high schools use college or pro logos...how hard is it to come up with something original!?!
• Steel Valley Football

  Altor has it right. Manaze and Keith just don't get it.
  
  This trademark infringement stuff happens ALL the time. It's usually a cut and dry case and this one should be no different.
• Zombienation

  ManO'War wrote: correct...its all about copyright protection.
  
  Personally I hate when high schools use college or pro logos...how hard is it to come up with something original!?!

  Because a big S is really original right
• war_admiral

  

  No but a fire-breathing horse is
  
  RRR
• ManO'War

  

  Zombienation wrote:

  ManO'War wrote: correct...its all about copyright protection.
  
  Personally I hate when high schools use college or pro logos...how hard is it to come up with something original!?!

  Because a big S is really original right

  The S is on the helmet, but it's not our logo. Do some research before making stupid comments, will ya?!
• sonofsam

  

  ManO'War wrote:

  Zombienation wrote:

  ManO'War wrote: correct...its all about copyright protection.
  
  Personally I hate when high schools use college or pro logos...how hard is it to come up with something original!?!

  Because a big S is really original right

  The S is on the helmet, but it's not our logo. Do some research before making stupid comments, will ya?!

  Edited by GoChiefs. Not going to turn every thread into an argument.
• beverboy1

  I GUESS PITT NEEDS ALL THE MONEY THEY CAN GET WHAT A JOKE!!!!!
• Keith

  Steel Valley Football wrote: Altor has it right. Manaze and Keith just don't get it.
  
  This trademark infringement stuff happens ALL the time. It's usually a cut and dry case and this one should be no different.

  I get it just fine. I've been around this stuff for a very long time. I completely understand it is all about Pitt protecting their "trademark" from a big bad high school. But again the question is how much money could Pitt possibly be losing due to this.
• ManO'War

  

  It's not about Pitt losing money to a hs, but if Pitt doesn't protect their trademark now, then they lose that ability in the future, whereas then anyone will be able to use the logo and make money off of it.
• Steel Valley Football

  See Keith you really don't get it.
• Keith

  And you're not getting it if you think it is about anything BUT money. But frankly it's not worth getting into a pissing match over. I know our good friends up on Whitmer Dr. will handle this appropriately.
• akron hammer

  Wasn't going to check in but.......Pitt is protecting a logo it "retired" 3 years ago. They replaced it with a newer cat and now don't use that one either. They use a PITT logo now. It will all get cleared up and Whitmer's new cat will be trademarked. Lemonade will be made out of these lemons.
  
  Keith....I enjoy the healthy rivalry and respect the Panthers have with the Little Giants. Leaguemates will only make it better.
• Keith

  Agreed akron hammer. The amount of respect, class and sportsmanship shown by Ross and Whitmer towards each other is great to see. When the Little Giants and Panthers play you can be sure you'll see a great, well played game. I have been fortunate to have developed some tremendous friendships with some knowledgable, classy Whitmer fans. And yes, I very much look forward to 2011 and our entrance into the City League.
• jm71witmr

  Akron hammer, You're right that lemonade will be made. I will be delighted when the.... pittcher of lemonade is gone. We can get back to focusing on the needs of the kids....
  
  Keith, I too am looking forward to another Little Giant...Panther battle.
  
  115 days until the first game of the 2010 season.
• KnightRyder

  

  it seems to me pitt should worry about more important things. like why do they lose games they should win.