IndianaFIRST Logo Contest

[David Kelly]

First of all, the "informal" IndianaFIRST group was formed back in 2000, before FIRST instituted the current regulations. Just last year, we formally organized ourselves into an organization with established by-laws and a board of directors. IndianaFIRST has no desire to infringe on regulations FIRST has established regarding using the name and a modified version of the original logo, even though we have been an organization since 2000.

With that being said, we have contacted FIRST for their official ruling using the name and logo. IndianaFIRST mission is to attract schools and students to participate in on of FIRST's programs to help inspire them into science and technology.

We will be eagerly be waiting for a ruling from FIRST.

[Tristan Lall]

As a point of order, I notice a lot of people italicizing the word "FIRST". That's not necessary in text; that's merely their way of emphasizing their name on their logo and promotional materials. The legal name continues to be "United States Foundation for The Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology", so any appropriate initalism or acronym (or in the case of "U.S. FIRST", a hybrid) is valid. They can't sue you for not italicizing the name (in reference to them), any more than they could sue you for mispronouncing it (e.g. "us feerst" ). And of course, they wouldn't want to, even if they could.

As for the logo, that's a different matter. In that case, since the pictorial representation of the acronym FIRST is part of the logo, you must reproduce it faithfully, or risk a letter from their lawyer. If IndianaFIRST incorporates any part of the real FIRST logo, or uses a similar design, they should ask FIRST for permission, in order to ensure that no dilution of their branding takes place. Calling themselves IndianaFIRST, or having that name appear on a logo (without using any part of the real FIRST logo) is completely legal.

Now, depending on how you read the competition rules, it's conceivable that a team might be bound to follow a slightly stricter set of rules, during the period for which section 1.13 of the 2005 rules applies. By participating in the competition, they implicitly agree to abide by the rules, which offer the following guidelines:

Unmodified: Use the FIRST logo without modification. This means that you

will use our name and the triangle, circle and square as you see it

on our website or letterhead. You can use it in red, blue, and

white, or in black and white. Refer to the FIRST logo standards

for additional details including placement, size, and color

specifications and incorrect logo usage.

IndianaFIRST is not a team; while it would be courteous of them to follow the same standards, the rules do not apply to them in any way. For them, it's simply a matter of trademark law (hence, the potential for a letter from the lawyer).

[KenWittlief]

The fact that so many teams misused the old logo is part of the reason why FIRST had to come up with a new logo.

In the past FIRST let it go, but now that FIRST VEX systems are being sold in RadioShack the organization is required to protect their new logo, and the name 'FIRST'.

In light of this, Indian FIRST has a problem now. If they are officially part of the FIRST organization, they could (should) use the offical FIRST logo, as defined by FIRST.

if they are not officially part of FIRST, then its probabally time to come up with a new name for the group.

You can imagine how much grief I would catch if I decided to start an organization and call it "NY MicroSoft" and use a variation of the Microsoft logo in my publications!

Im afraid Indiania FIRST is now in the same position.

[Josh Hambright]

Just a reminder to everyone that there are still a few more days to get your submissions for the contest in!

Dont be afraid! If you think you have a cool idea, put it down in photoshop and submit it!

[KenWittlief]

ok, let me beat everyone to it and say my photoshop skills are dismal

but heres a basic sort of idea I had in mind

[Madison]

Have you heard from FIRST with respect to the use of IndianaFIRST and the logo as David mentioned earlier?

[David Kelly]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

Have you heard from FIRST with respect to the use of IndianaFIRST and the logo as David mentioned earlier?

The issue had been forwarded to the Director of Marketing at FIRST as of earlier in the week. So we do not yet have an official call from FIRST HQ.

[Freddy Schurr]

Any news