![]() |
Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
All right everyone, I've seen so many picture with FIRST's logo in it, I believe it's time to review FIRST's logo standards: http://www.usfirst.org/4vol/resource...tandards_Q.pdf
FIRST has asked nicely for everyone and every team to follow their logo standards, which includes, Logo protected area Focus and strong visual impact are achieved by keeping a “quiet” space around our logos. The minimum protected area, or clear space, is determined by the height of the letters within the logo shown as “X” in the diagram on this page. It serves as a barrier to keep away distracting imagery of any kind, including typography (words), photographs, illustrations and other graphic elements. The protected area also determines the minimum distance a logo can be placed from paper edges or folds of printed materials. Minimum logo size The determined minimum logo size assures proper legibility. Do not reproduce our logos below these smallest acceptable measurements. Do not alter the logos Do not reconfigure or change the size of any part of our standard logo versions. Do not alter or recreate (typeset) the lettering within the logos. Do not distort or in any way change the logo proportions. Do not change the logo colors. Do not create 3D logo versions, or apply any visual effects, including drop shadows, glow, blur, etc. Do not add outlines to our logos or create complete outline versions. Do not place our logos within any graphic shapes. Do not obscure and weaken our logos by placing them on visually active background patterns, strong textures or incompatible shades of color. Do not use the lettering (wordmark) from the logos as a word. Do not use the logos as a word within text. Remember, they are a part of our visual expression. FIRST typefaces Our preferred typefaces or fonts create the desired balance between our logo and verbal communications. The particular styles of sans serif Helvetica and serif Garamond, lend themselves to creative and flexible typography. I haven't been around the competition the past two years, so I don't know if these logo standards are still in effect. But unless someone can tell me they aren't, I strongly recommend everyone to review and follow FIRST's logo standard. You and I may not like all these restrictions for the FIRST logo, but just because we don't like it doesn't mean we can do whatever we want. That's why even though there's a lot of work involved, I've started editing an old logo that have the old FIRST logo in it to follow the new standards. If, on the other hand, my mind is out-dated and these standards are no longer in effect, then you can slap me silly and I will admit to being old :p. *edit* I realize there has been other threads discussing this issue, but I would like to bring this up again, and see if FIRST has made any clarification to their position on the logo standards. Another discussion can be seen here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47676, but I've decided to bring this issue front and center in the General Forum. I understand there is a lot of grey area when it comes to using FIRST's logo, but I would really like to see a clear guideline on exactly what we are allowed and not allowed to do. I am feeling very uncomfortable when I keep seeing new pictures with FIRST's logo in it that doesn't follow the standards. If FIRST say they are fine, then let's tell everyone it's fine. Otherwise, there is no clear cut on how the FIRST logo is supposed and not supposed to be use. Has anyone heard anything new since the last discussion we have on this issue? |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
With the new logo, it's one step further.
The new logo is copyrighted. That means that you may only use it in the versions provided by FIRST. Even stricter than Ken's old, out of date stuff (;)) Please be respectful of the copyright guys. It's legal, they went to the extent to get it that way for a reason... |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
definitely.
i mean, our team's logo contains a triangle, a circle, and a square, but they're SHAPES meant to imply the FIRST logo, it's not like we magled the actual logo. if ya wanna see it, check out http://www.firstwiki.org/1923 see? we didn't take the logo and do anything to it, we just IMPLY that it's there. i think that's legal? correct me if i'm wrong. |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
On these lines, I've noticed quite a few people with the little bar graphics in their signatures. One of them is a FIRST logo that I'm pretty sure doesn't follow the FIRST logo guidelines...
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
If I am not mistaken, copyrights apply to public usage of text, images, etc. You can make a copy of an entire novel to read yourself, and as long as you do not redistribute or sell copies you are within the limits of the copyright. Using the FIRST logo on websites and other public media is one thing, and in these cases the standards should obviously be followed. But having a little fun with Photoshop and creating something with a creative message is quite another thing, and I do not think that we should be jumping on everyone that posts a picture containing a slightly modified logo.
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
To comply with the standards I have purposely flawed the link in my sig.
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
I think there's no harm in students doing a little work in photoshop to show how much FIRST spirit they have, I am all for that kind of thing. That's not the issue. The issue is that, point #1, the way I read it, FIRST's logo standard clearly says: Use our logo this way and this way only, do not use it any other way. I don't like that standard anymore than you do. I think there's no harm in a little fun every once in a while. But I respect FIRST's desire to keep a certain standard in their logo. And, as long as the rule is written that way, I have no choice but to remind people to keep reading the logo standard. Point #2 is, if in fact this logo standard does more harm than benefit when it comes to creative work and showing FIRST spirit, then how can it be worded differently to maintain a balance between keeping the logo standard in a professional level and giving everyone a break when it comes to creativity and having fun? And finally, point #3 is, if there is a way to word the logo standard differently for the effect described in point #2, then what can we do to ask FIRST nicely about changing their standard? And why hasn't FIRST been thinking about this if they know teams are having difficulties when it comes to their logo standard, or whether they are aware of the difficulties at all? |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
It is NOT copyrighted. It IS trademarked. In fact, it has been a federally registered trademark since 2001. I'm not sure what the "new logo" is, but I can't find it on the USPTO database. The new FRC version of the logo has not been posted to TESS yet, if FIRST has even filed for registration. I encourage participants on CD to stop giving instructions on the use of trademarks if you don't really know what you are talking about. The rules are simple, specific and well-understood, but are not usually taught in high school or college. The instructions for use of the FIRST mark are typical of what all companies request. It's pretty much a cut-and-paste of about 10,000 other mark-usage instructions. If you are using the mark on promotional material, shirts, signs, robots, your Website or any other "official" use, I strongly suggest you follow FIRST's guidelines. It's their mark. If you want to Photoshop it and share it with your friends and post silly pictures to CD, I certainly don't see any harm, and, generally speaking, if you change the mark enough that it has obviously been altered (like using different colors, changing the shapes and altering the text to "TEAM XYZ") I don't think they would even have a legal right to ask you to change it. The world is full of Coke mark parodies that have not been banned (as hard as Coca-Cola has tried). The key thing is that I suggest that GP would require you to only mess with the mark in respectful ways. If you just want to use the word "FIRST" -- go ahead and have fun. US FIRST does not have a trademark on the word "FIRST," just on the complete logo with the geometric symbols. |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
I'm sure they (FIRSTWiki) have gotten in touch with FIRST and have gotten their approval to use the logo in such ways, or in such ways have created their own and submitted it to FIRST for their approval. |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
What about animations? I know probably >30% national level animations have some kind of modification / inaccurate use of the FIRST logo
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
I wouldn't be too worried about it, though. |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
I guess it is there just in case another group takes the logo and uses it in a clearly mocking manner or just to steal the logo as their own FIRST has the ability to take legal action.
How many times has this been brought up? 6+? |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
By the way, what is this "new logo" that y'all keep talking about? The FIRST Website still has the geometric symbols-with-the-word on the top left corner of the site. Are you referring to the FRC, FVC, and FLL logos? |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
FIRST last changed their logo (the new logo) at the beginning of the 2005 competition season and gradually updated their usage of it on all their released materials over the course of the season.
http://www.usfirst.org/about/news/newlogo2004.htm |
Re: Let's review the FIRST Logo Standards
Quote:
|
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:47. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi