The 'Dockers' copyright

[estibador]

Can anyone explain this to me? My understanding was that you can only copyright an original term and that is what stops people taking out copyrights on common usage words like eagles, crows, blues, saints, power etc.

It's also my understanding that the term dockers was used for hundreds of years in England to describe dock workers.

So what gives an American company the right to copyright it in the 1980's and demand that no other organisation be allowed to use it anymore?

 

[rotto]

Money. Same as the American company who copyrighted Ugg Boots.

 

[Belnakor]

I think the most important thing is why the ____ didn't the powers that be check copyrights before calling themselves the dockers.

Prior to the accouncement i remember a huge rumor that we were to be called the Dolphins

 

[o54595]

Can anyone explain this to me? My understanding was that you can only copyright an original term and that is what stops people taking out copyrights on common usage words like eagles, crows, blues, saints, power etc.

It's also my understanding that the term dockers was used for hundreds of years in England to describe dock workers.

So what gives an American company the right to copyright it in the 1980's and demand that no other organisation be allowed to use it anymore?

Because they registered the name first as a commercial entity perhaps?

 

[o54595]

I think the most important thing is why the ____ didn't the powers that be check copyrights before calling themselves the dockers.

Prior to the accouncement i remember a huge rumor that we were to be called the Dolphins

That smells of Neesham!

 

[estibador]

Money. Same as the American company who copyrighted Ugg Boots.

But if I had bucketloads of money I couldn't just go out and copyright any word I wanted could I?

I thought it had to be an original word like McDonalds or Coca-Cola. It's not like Levi Strauss invented the word dockers.

How do they decide which words you are allowed to copyright and which you aren't? Does anyone know?

 

[Belnakor]

hehe. I reckon we should have just gone with the fremantle sharks frankly. But its worked out well - everyone calls us Freo not the dockers

 

[Freo Shark]

I think the problem lies in the trademark of "Dockers", and thats registered.

 

[Belnakor]

How do they decide which words you are allowed to copyright and which you aren't? Does anyone know?

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/what_index.shtml

I"m actually looking into a trademark at the moment, its pretty easy to do with the right cash. Plus the gf is a lawyer.

 

[Freo Shark]

I think the problem lies in the trademark of "Dockers", and thats registered. The copywrite isnt the issue.

 

[estibador]

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/what_index.shtml

Cheers. So I take it you wouldn't be able to trademark 'eagles' because it's too common?

I guess 'dockers' was obscure enough for them to do it.

 

[Memories]

Cheers. So I take it you wouldn't be able to trademark 'eagles' because it's too common?

Explain companies like "Apple" then. If you've got money you can do anything.

 

[Stronzo]

Money. Same as the American company who copyrighted Ugg Boots.

That wasn't successful.

 

[anchor man]

I am not sure I am right but,I heard that as long as they do not use the name on any clothing,then it ok for us to use the name Dockers.
As I said not sure but think it is true.

 

[Chops_a_must]

I thought this had been sorted out YEARS ago...

 

[estibador]

Explain companies like "Apple" then. If you've got money you can do anything.

From the sounds of it they've been sued a few times over the years by Apple Records.

Obviously I can't explain it because like I said I don't really understand how this stuff works. That's why I'm asking.

If I had enough money could I trademark 'eagles' then sue west coast? Or are they safe because they had it first?

 

[DeepPurple]

in each case (Apple and Dockers) it pertains to usage.

Apple Records owns the trademark in the area of music recording, when Apple Computers launched iTunes Apple Recordings sued due to apple promoting a product in their area of registered trademark.

Fremantle have the rights to use the trademark Dockers in the area of a sporting club, however due to the amount of spondoolies earned from clothing they choose not to use it anywhere as it would confuse the brand.

 

[Alfonz]

Maybe we should watch out for Cadbury chocolate as well.

http://www.ipfrontline.com/depts/article.asp?id=17969&deptid=4

 

[Avid_Avenger]

From the sounds of it they've been sued a few times over the years by Apple Records.

Obviously I can't explain it because like I said I don't really understand how this stuff works. That's why I'm asking.

If I had enough money could I trademark 'eagles' then sue west coast? Or are they safe because they had it first?

It wouldn't be possible Esti but I can't tell you why. I think the eagles would be safe anyway coz their actual eagle design is their own.

I think it also has to do with dockers being a clothing product - hence we can't put it on our merchandise becoz we're ripping off the identity of a clothing company but that doesn't stop us from being able to refer to ourselves as 'Dockers'.

You can trademark a product but you can't trademark an idea or concept hence the idea of our team as Dockers or wharfies is okay.

 

[Angus McFuttock]

I've heard the Western Force have had some legal issues with Nike and their "Force" brand. They seem to still use Force on their merchandise though.

 

[DockersMad]

Maybe we should watch out for Cadbury chocolate as well.

http://www.ipfrontline.com/depts/article.asp?id=17969&deptid=4

If it was just the colour purple, we'd be hearing from Prince and Paul Stanley too (maybe that was the real reason for giving him a Freo guernsey - it was a bribe). The issue with Darrell Lea and Cadbury is they both produce chocolate.

If Cadbury start producing crap in a purple wrapper we may have a problem.

 

[NicoNicoNico]

If Cadbury start producing crap in a purple wrapper we may have a problem.

Wow. Harsh, but ultimately fair.

 

[Belnakor]

Fremantle have the rights to use the trademark Dockers in the area of a sporting club, however due to the amount of spondoolies earned from clothing they choose not to use it anywhere as it would confuse the brand.

Sounds about right - we don't use it because its not worth it.

 

[dont bowl there]

If it was just the colour purple, we'd be hearing from Prince and Paul Stanley too (maybe that was the real reason for giving him a Freo guernsey - it was a bribe). The issue with Darrell Lea and Cadbury is they both produce chocolate.

If Cadbury start producing crap in a purple wrapper we may have a problem.

That actually made me laugh!

 

[shibz_1989]

That actually made me laugh!

Same here