Enduring things that few even know about

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

You got it Tom! Thats why the football cards of the 70's always had blurred out logos on their cards.

While I am still feeling my way around the site Reg is one of the guys I respect and follow with each of his posts. My new team consists of almost all Reg figures. I like to deal with everyone but snitching is something I don't tolerate. Whatever happened and why it happened is way over my head but let a man do him. He already showed that he can bounce back once already. If the power that be shut you down thats one thing but if you get shutdown because of your peers that just......... WOW
Good luck man.

[Hook'em Horns]

I disagree with you a bit Tom on the Laws but perhaps I'm wrong. I saw a show on ESPN a few years ago about an artist that was being sued by Tiger Woods. He captured an image of Tiger during th MASTERS and sold it for profit. Tiger felt that because he did not give the artist permission to take his image and sell it for profit that the artist owed him a huge portion if not all that he had earned from the painting. Well, the Artist won the case. Artist are protected under the constition to earn a living and artist earn a living through the re-creation and selling of images. Is this not the same case? As long as NFL shields or NCAA shields aren't being used Reg should be protected under the constitution as an artist.

Also, the NFL does own their franchise names. However, I've seen the logos used on College and highschool teams helmets. There is a highschool team here in San Antonio, Texas that uses the spear that the redskins have on their helmet as their helmet logo. The Colts horseshoe is used on the college level as well. I forget what team but I've seen it. Dose Boise State Broncos Logo not look similar to Denver's? It very similar, different but similar. Is that not an infringment on the NFL? There is a loop hole we just don't know the specifics.

[The Rookie]

Mike
There is a high school team from east texas i forget the name but i saw them many times last year on the high school extra rap up and they have the same uniform as the Colts.
Unless they ( the colts ) gave them the ok then there most be a loop hole .

[RooMorgans]

Many high school teams use the same logos as the NFL teams because they can get them cheaper than having their own logos drawn up then produced.

There was a team in my district that had the Patriots logo and changed it every time the NFL Patriots did.

Ed

[Hook'em Horns]

There must be a loop hole. What about all the pop warner teams that use nfl logos on their helmets? In fact most pop warner teams use the entire name. My cousing played for the Austin Optomist Dallas Cowboys. They sell registration, team photos, and accessories such as horns, key chains, mugs and other stuff all to raise money for the team. Why isn't this an infringement? The NFL have their own sponsored youth sports programs so why would they ok the use of other leagues using their brand? There has to be a loop hole.

[FrustratedFinFan]

I don't think there is any loophole......

High Schools aren't calling themselves by the same name as any pro/college team (Sure...you can be the "Green Valley Steelers," but that doesn't really infringe on the name Pittsburgh Steelers...and you know the uniforms will at least have some subtle differences). Their uniforms also are different in some respect. Finally, it amounts to which battles the NFL or NCAA want to fight.

Let's just create our own franchises and be done with it. Simple, easy....and probably a lot of fun!

My team will be the Castaick Storm...I even changed the city name to be different from the real one. No matches for that city name in Google. My logo will be somewhat like the hurricane symbol used by the weather service. I already have the colors down too...started painting these up some time ago and just didn't finish the team.

[sweetka]

I have investigated, through some official resources, why this would really occur and here are my findings

The facts are:

When you search footballfigure.com or net, and you are all welcome to Google it, McFarlane figures and others come up, all endorsed by the NFL. The NFL security team scours the internet for any slight alterations or deviations to search information that would lead to sights with the potential for infringing on their bottom line. It's actually a compliment to your product when they become this interested.

When you add the "S" then it becomes footballfigures.com or net, and Reginalds figures, there likenesses, and stadiums clearly replicating NFL stadiums come up and can easily be perceived as an overt attempt to subvert the NFL, and their licensed distributors.

Factor that in with past violations of using NFL likeness in the figures on the site in the past, clear logo displays and clear intent to sell then a case can be presented by the NFL for infringement. Notice I say presented, not won.

The reason why they shut down the site is because there is something on the site they feel is a violation.

By comparison, if you type in Buzzball, or 4buzzball, you get George's cleaned up site. Conversely, George's problems in the past may have been derived from fierce competitors who were in the same product spectrum. However, his search criteria cater to a specific product that can easily be adjusted to not deflect from NFL products, Search engines, etc. . .

This is the same with Board Makers, DJ, Beenutt and others. They replicate some things but they do not bring attention to themselves by buying a consonant, in this case an "S", that calls attention to their sites.

Once you violate the NFL has a right to monitor your activities. It's as simple as that.

I took about three hours out of my day to find this out because I am sick and tired of people calling others snitches, pointing fingers without facts thus creating dissension and distrust of our vendors and membership. I wholeheartedly respect our vendors but we all must first look inside ourselves before we start casting stones. Our vendors need to know when innovation can be perceived as infringement, knockoff, re-creation, or theft and stay on the side of right. When you are riding the fence you can easily fall on the wrong side.

Again, I say this not to accuse anyone of anything, but to shed some light on what could trigger this problem for Reginald moreover other vendors. Hopefully, it will help him and others to see how these problems arise and make the necessary adjustments to avoid additional complications.

One last note, the High School Logos are NFL logos because the NFL has a built in take on those items sold and it actually cost more to slightly alter a logo than to use theirs. They are also cheaper and of higher quality due to the millions of uniforms and equipment sold.

[Reginald Rutledge]

and saw the commotion I have caused online. Did not want to do that but just wanted to point out what I felt.

For me, I hope I never said anyone here was the reason that this may have happened to me other than myself. Yeah, things about my site come close to infringement but for the most part, nothing on there should violate licensing rights. From what I was told, a few words of how I wrote a statement was the reason and one tiny logo that I had caused the red flag.

Yesterday, I had many phone calls, but I was in several meetings concerning my child's college orientation at Tech. Therefore, I was not able to get to any calls.

Anyhow, I saw that some guys had been "inciting" the thread. That's not what I wanted to happen! While I have no control over grown men language or threats, that definitely is not what I condone by no chance! I had not been able to look at any post up until this point (it's about 3:30 am) and got a PM from Wolf about a tense situation between 3 guys that all happen to be friends of mine.

Two of those guys, for whatever the reason, have been distant from me in recent months and one as loyal of a friend as there could be. Those two guys are still very good friends of mine. Some people have insinuated they had something to do with this licensing thing. That's a very strong accusation and I know they are definitely not that type. These friends of mine bring so much to the game and are two of the few people who put it all out on the line for the game. I know they were probably just as upset that this happened to me as I was. I've called them "my brothers" in the past and will continue to do so.

There's no need for anyone to have choice words for anyone at the convention. We are coming together to embrace, celebrate, and share our love for this game. What they are bringing that weekend to the game will be great for the game and what they do in the game, just like what some of us are trying to accomplish with the CBSMF. Therefore, we've got to support each others work and leave the ill-will at home. Better yet, throw it away! There's no place for that in the game.

I take responsible for my action and on this one, I acted in a very irresponsible way. I was just venting! Just human! Some guys don't see me in that light of getting too upset but I am flawed like every other man. Some things should just be left unsaid.

These two friends I talk about are Jimbo and Don Smith. It needs to be said that these are two of the best guys this hobby has going for it! No question. The passion and energy they bring to the game is second to none and I am embarrassed something like this has even landed near either area code. Yeah, I know I've got enemies in the game, but I don't think these are two of them. These are my friends, my brothers, and two of the best minds in the game.

Now for my friend RJ, you know I love you Bruh! I know you got my back and all. I do! But let's channel that energy in a good way for this game. Luv that enthusiasm but let's take all that energy that you got and help one another.

At the convention, we've got something great cookin'! The Seawall Brawl, the CBSMF, the Green Room Rumble (I think), and any other tournament that is interested in coming! That is great. We've got to help Don and Jimbo to make their tournament successful just like we want the CBSMF to be successful. So channel the energy that you got in to ways of being of service to both the SWB and CBSMF. Not only you but anyone who is in "reading distance". The thing is, when one of us win, we all win. When one of us lose, we all lose. The hobby is a fringe hobby these days but something we should all enjoy.

None of us should have to go up into this Ohio date feeling any tension about what's ready to happen. Essentially, we should be having a great time. I don't know about y'all but father time is coming to get me and before he takes me away, I want to enjoy a few more MF moments. And that's with old friends, like you RJ, and Don and Jimbo. I want to be able to sit around and kick it. There should never be any distrust between none of us and will not be on my part. There are way too many bigger problems in this world to deal with like global warming, cancer, and wars.

So let's just go to Canton and have a good time. Forget the animosity, the backbiting, and bickering, over much ado about nothing! We need to be a unified force that shows everyone what is special about the game. The 3 hours spent in hand-to-hand gridiron duels and the helping of everyone's tournaments and works will make this the best convention/show ever seen in the game.

The last thing I want to do is draw attention to myself. However, I do want to always draw attention to the game and if anything good comes out of this, I hope it makes us a more unified hobby and I get my two friends back. I know I've got RJ but I speak of Don and Jimbo. The game should bring us closer together. If a guy like Ken Allen and I can become buddies, all things are possible!

Let's go play some football!

Sorry for the length of this message but I just wanted to be understood that I in no way blame anyone for my actions. The wording has been rectified and hopefully, I will be able to get my sites back up within a day or two.

Reg

[NEW CASTLE HiTMEN]

Reg,

You are right. Its all about the hobby but our hobby doesn't have to revolve around the NFL or NCAA. Lets make our own teams1