Bootleg signs

Skynut
Skynut Posts: 2,967
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
Does anyone know what can happen if someone makes bootleg signs with company logos on them?
I found this guy selling on e-bay and while I do not have a problem with it I am curious if this is a big no no.
I was at a woodworking show a couple of weeks ago and they had a laser engraving machine for sale thet would easily make better signs than this and I actually thought about doing it but I do not want to open myself up to any trouble.
I bought a sign just like the one in the link from this guy, it is made pretty nice and it is affordable in my book.

I am not trying to get this guy into trouble I am only interested in the legal ramifications.

Check out his other items he has a large selection of what I assume is bootleg signs.

Obviously I am not affiliated with this person.

Polkaudio sign
Skynut
SOPA® Founder
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Thanks for looking
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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Comments

  • Holydoc
    Holydoc Posts: 1,048
    edited May 2006
    If the sign uses Trademark items, such as the polkaudio (registered trademark) name for profit, then Polk can sue for Trademark Infringement.
    Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    That was my assumption, so I wonder if there is an easy way to get permission to do something like this.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • PhantomOG
    PhantomOG Posts: 2,409
    edited May 2006
    I doubt it... not without some specific contract with each company and most likely $$ to the company as well.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited May 2006
    Well since he is selling them I guess he is infringing! Who's gonna tell Matt?
    Holydoc wrote:
    If the sign uses Trademark items, such as the polkaudio (registered trademark) name for profit, then Polk can sue for Trademark Infringement.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    I figure this is some guy with one of those vinyl sign machines and he plans to knock them out until he gets a cease and disist letter. In the mean time he will rake in a few grand.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited May 2006
    for personal use, i think you just have to ask (more or less, there might be a signature involved, probably depends upon the company). for profit, there's definitely going to be licensing going on, which is again company-specific, but it's definitely copyright/patent/whatever infringement without said license...
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited May 2006
    I bought one of those signs from that guy a long time ago but he was using a different ebay name.
    Never Forget
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited May 2006
    I got a DTS sign from him if it's the same guy. He puts a neon light at the top, right?

    Edit:

    Nope, different guy.
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    No but I do see a guy that makes all kinds of neon signs also.
    Signs for like every movie out there and I wonder why he has been doing it for so long?
    I kinda thought he would dissapear soon but it has been a long time.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited May 2006
    I bought a sign from that guy, and had Matt Polk sign it!

    238_142_big.jpg
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited May 2006
    I have a Polk, Denon and DTS-ES sign from him. I'm pleased with them.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

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    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    They are nice signs. I just bought the one.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2006
    I'll put money on Monster being the one that finally takes him down.
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  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited May 2006
    I saw Bose in there too..

    Likes someone already said, I bet he'll do pretty well before he gets a letter from each manufacturer.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2006
    jcaut wrote:
    I saw Bose in there too..

    Likes someone already said, I bet he'll do pretty well before he gets a letter from each manufacturer.

    hmmmm.... Bose vs Monster. You raise a good point. I still gotta go with monster- they're more litigious.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
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    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited May 2006
    I doubt that many mfg. are going to have too much of a problem with a little guy like this. As long as he is not making an "audio product" and using the name they may not scream too loudly. More like a "slap on the wrist" warning and a wink. Think about it. Polk and others spends millions of dollars to do what? Advertise. They make signs, bumper stickers etc, with their logo at no small expense and GIVE them away. They pay to have their logo in magazines and events. Every sign this guy sells is FREE ADVERTISING! Unless he is somehow abusing the brand with poor workmanship or negative stuff that would shed a bad light on the Co. I doubt he will hear from a lot of mfg. Now if he gets big enough and sells a lot then there may become a business arangement where he will be paying a license fee.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited May 2006
    Right on with that one.
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    nadams wrote:
    I bought a sign from that guy, and had Matt Polk sign it!

    238_142_big.jpg


    that is cool, I guess he didn't ask where the sign came from.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited May 2006
    actually, he did... and I said I bought it off of eBay because there was nothing similar available from Polk....
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    I think some companies would not complain just because they don't want to deal with it.
    It might make them look bad if it got big and ugly.

    I also agree with Shacks comment, it is free advertising and it helps show brand loyality.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2006
    Looks like Matt has the evidence right there. See ya behind bars nadams... :D
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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