copyrights

[A-19]

crimson and red are definitely trademarked

"Gimme an A, Gimme an A, Welcome to Cambridge"

is definitely OK, but does anyone want that?

[A-19]

And the Harvard response:


Mike,
What I am saying is that Harvard University does not necessarily agree
that the art you have submitted to us constitutes parody.  This is
ultimately for attorneys and courts to decide.  I recommend that you
seek counsel before proceeding to be sure that the designs you
submittted to us are parody.  The reason I disapproved them is that I
did not see them as parody.  Had I seen them as such I would have told
you that you do not need approval from Harvard University for them.

-Rick

[DeltaOne81]

melissa... everything can be an issue ::rolleyes::

But I think even straight Cornell/Harvard probably wouldn't be. Why would a university care enough about 20 t-shirts to ask for anything more than an apology. Honestly, if it were me, I'd just tell the t-shirt guy that it's a parody/fair use, and that you'll sign something waiving him of responsibilty. If he won't do it, someone else will.

Of course I do realize that just because you sign something saying it's your problem, doesn't mean he couldn't be gone after anyway, but at least it'd be another level of protection for him.

You can try to jump through all the hoops and end up flat on your face (heh, I made a metaphor ;-) ) or you can just do it knowing for yourself that you truly feel what you're doing is reasonable and non-infringing.

And Mike, I have a feeling the letter you'll get back will either be a yes (again, to scare you away) or pretty much a disclaimer, saying Hahvahd protects it's trademarks when they feel they've been infringed upon and it would be the decision of someone above him to decide at such a time as the possible infrigement occurs.

It's up to you, but I think you know what I would do :-).

-Fred

[nshapiro]

Whatever you decide, the important thing to remember is that Harvard SUCKS.

[asshole 04]

yessssssssir...!

[judy]

How about "Cambridge College"? Doesn't someone here (Ben???) have a big ol' "Welcome to Cambridge College" sheet that gets brought out every year?

[CowbellGuy]

That's Cambridge COMMUNITY College :-)

[mha]

Mike, it seems to me this guy at Harvard is being extremely pleasant with you, and is taking a lot of time to explain his position. He's not dismissing you as a kid, and he's not telling you to buzz off and leave him alone.

He's also being very honest. He doesn't feel it constitutes parody, and he can't give you permission to use Harvard's name or something similar to it.

He's effectively telling you that if you're confident you're on safe legal grounds, you're welcome to proceed. You can do that on your own judgement, or after consulting a lawyer, keeping in mind that whether you're right or not,[/i] Harvard can sue you.

As for signing a waiver at the print shop that promises you'll take all responsibility, no rational local business would accept that. Most of them do business with Cornell at one level or another, and none would risk that relationship to take an order for a handful of shirts.

[A-19]

The guy at the print shop has called me twice in the last 2 days to ask if I wanna proceed, actually.

-Mike

[Adam \'04]

Gimme an A, Gimme an A, Welcome to Cambridge Community College::rolleyes::

[Will]

Is anyone else thinking at this point that we should just all buy the same Harvard t-shirt when we get to Cambridge, and just paint "SUCKS" underneath it in bright red paint?  Might be easier. :-D

[A-19]

Gimme an A!
Gimme another A!
Gimme a few more!

Welcome to Haaaaaaaaaaaarvard.

[Jim Hyla]

Do whatever you feel comfortable with. I can't imagine any real legal problems other than having them ask you not to do it again( thereby increasing the value of the shirts in future years;-) ).

Remember they did not say you were wrong legally, rather that they could not support you. I still like the idea. I also think you have a good case with the A+ idea, and that any judge would laugh at Harvard taking legal action, but who am I to say.

If I can support you in any way let me know, I do like it.

[gwm3]

[Q]Is anyone else thinking at this point that we should just all buy the same Harvard t-shirt when we get to Cambridge, and just paint "SUCKS" underneath it in bright red paint?[/Q]

That's actually a good idea.  They can't really do anything to us for "defacing" our own property.

[Sarli]

Not to be a pain in the ass, but
wouldn't "welcome to Lynah East" on the front
and "GO Red"
be enough of a slap in face of our beloved (  ::yark:: ) fellow Ivy, hahvahd (sucks) ?
and seemingly generic enough to avoid copyrights?
Just a thought.