[David Kelly]

Originally Posted by mtrawls

And, to educated people about both sides of the law ...

Of course, with fair use and free speech, you can do some of those things under certain conditions. For instance, if I were unhappy with FIRST and wanted to express my disgust, I could certainly have the "rings" entrap Kamen, Flowers, and, oh let's say Lavery ... and then change the FIRST to some sort of unsavory expression best left unmentioned. So long as I'm not trying to impersonate FIRST, or would not give the average, reasonable person that impression, then free speech is a wonderful thing. Remember, the word "Microsoft" is a registered trademark, -- but you certainly don't have to get written permission to use the word, either in praise or disgust (so long as the use isn't to sell software). And you can do whatever you want to the word, nearly, because of free speech/fair use. (Of course, this is assuming you're not a business trying to make a profit from the use and you're not trying to defraud anyone. Trademark law can be quite the nebulous area, so the best advice is to be careful and not take advice from people unaware of the subject, -- like me, for instance.)

(For the record, I would never do a thing such as I have described. I just don't have the artistic talent )

Actually, you do not have permission to change the logo in any manner you want to. Free speech does not apply to changing a logo to degrade someone or an organization. If you look in the 2004 Communications section of the competition manual it says:

2.13 USING THE FIRST LOGO

We encourage teams to develop and promote team identity. It is a great way to help FIRST judges, announcers, and audiences recognize your team at the competitions, and it is also a way to help you create a "buzz" about your team in your community.

You have incredibly creative opportunities in terms of designing your own identity. Every year we see great examples of how teams "brand" their efforts with websites, incredible team logos on robots, t-shirts, hats, banners, fliers, and giveaways.

These branding activities are a wonderful way to include students from art, communications, computer, and language arts classes in your team effort. As you manage your own promotion, you may want to incorporate the FIRST logo in what you do. Because our mark is registered, both name and the geometric logo, we have a few guidelines for you to follow when using the FIRST logo:

Positive Promotion:

Use our logo in a manner that is positive and promotes FIRST.

Unmodified:

Use the FIRST logo without modification. This means that you will use our name and the circle, square, and triangle as you see it on our website or letterhead. You can use it in red, blue, and white, or in black and white.

Modification Permission:

If you have an interest in modifying our logo, do that only when you receive our permission.

FIRST is happy to talk with you about modifications after you submit a written request letting us know why you want to modify the logo; how you plan to do it, and where you plan to apply it.

Send an e-mail request to Ken Freitas, kfreitas@usfirst.org, Marketing and Promotion.

Advertising Use Approval:

All Teams and sponsors must obtain approval from FIRST prior to incorporating our logo in any advertising. E-mail requests to

Ken Freitas for approval, by e-mail

kfreitas@usfirst.org or by phone at 800-871-8326 #410.

The major thing FIRST is saying is that

A. You must use the logo in a manner that is positive to the image of FIRST

B. If you do want to modify the logo, you must gain written permission from FIRST.

Saying that you can change the FIRST logo (of any other logo of a company or organization) because of freedom of speech is quite a lame excuse. Infact, it is against the law, and is the reason that we have the registered trademarks etc in the first place.