Can I invert other companies' logos and use them for advertising them on my site?
I'm building a site that aggregates food delivery services in my region. I show all the companies I collected as a list of cards, where each card contains the logo of a company, company name, link to the site of the company and other information.
I have one problem though. Some companies use white logos on a transparent background. My site's background is white, therefore those logos are invisible. Is it legal to invert the logos (make them black) without asking each company?
trademark
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
add a comment |
I'm building a site that aggregates food delivery services in my region. I show all the companies I collected as a list of cards, where each card contains the logo of a company, company name, link to the site of the company and other information.
I have one problem though. Some companies use white logos on a transparent background. My site's background is white, therefore those logos are invisible. Is it legal to invert the logos (make them black) without asking each company?
trademark
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
14
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
11
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
1
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55
add a comment |
I'm building a site that aggregates food delivery services in my region. I show all the companies I collected as a list of cards, where each card contains the logo of a company, company name, link to the site of the company and other information.
I have one problem though. Some companies use white logos on a transparent background. My site's background is white, therefore those logos are invisible. Is it legal to invert the logos (make them black) without asking each company?
trademark
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
I'm building a site that aggregates food delivery services in my region. I show all the companies I collected as a list of cards, where each card contains the logo of a company, company name, link to the site of the company and other information.
I have one problem though. Some companies use white logos on a transparent background. My site's background is white, therefore those logos are invisible. Is it legal to invert the logos (make them black) without asking each company?
trademark
trademark
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
edited Jan 3 at 17:33
Glorfindel
151119
151119
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
asked Jan 2 at 18:10
rominfrominf
14616
14616
14
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
11
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
1
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55
add a comment |
14
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
11
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
1
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55
14
14
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
11
11
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
1
1
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I take it that you intend using the logos of the various companies to show that you do business with them? That would be "nominative use" and would be legal even without permission, but it would be better practice to ask for permission. You would need to make it clear that these companies do not endorse or recommend you (unless they do and say so in writing).
If you get permission, ask about any color variations they are OK with. Would it be possible to put a black or dark color undercard below any logos that are white on transparent? this would make them visible and be a minimal change to the standard form of the logo. Again, the key thing is to make it clear that you are not claiming to be any of those companies, nor to be endorsed by them.
And yes, a short consultation with a lawyer knowledgeable in trademark law would be a very good idea, and might not be very expensive.
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
add a comment |
Most large companies are touchy about use of their logos.
Even when they give permission, virtually all of them have logo and style guidelines that they want you to follow. Those guidelines will tell you how to deal with a reverse background.
Further, I gather you are not building this aggregator for free, and you have affiliate deals with some or all of the companies. This is a complex legal contract which you may have clicked past in the blink of an eye, and you may want to take the time to skim it for what it says about brand and logo usage.
The law here? The law (practical) is that if they don't like what you are doing, they hit you with a Cease & Desist, and you stop. Or they threaten to cut off your affiliate payments and you say "yessir!"
The law (actual), if you would rather die on that hill than run your business, is that yeah, you have a limited right to use their names, and possibly their brands and logos, referentially. However, against a well-capitalized granfalloon, the law is less about who's right than who has the stamina for extended litigation. You will get squished unless you're willing to spend 8 hours a day learning to be an amateur lawyer, in which case you can be a tremendous nuisance as a pro-se litigant, at the cost of free time, business, job, spouse, family, etc.
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
add a comment |
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "617"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2flaw.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f35880%2fcan-i-invert-other-companies-logos-and-use-them-for-advertising-them-on-my-site%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I take it that you intend using the logos of the various companies to show that you do business with them? That would be "nominative use" and would be legal even without permission, but it would be better practice to ask for permission. You would need to make it clear that these companies do not endorse or recommend you (unless they do and say so in writing).
If you get permission, ask about any color variations they are OK with. Would it be possible to put a black or dark color undercard below any logos that are white on transparent? this would make them visible and be a minimal change to the standard form of the logo. Again, the key thing is to make it clear that you are not claiming to be any of those companies, nor to be endorsed by them.
And yes, a short consultation with a lawyer knowledgeable in trademark law would be a very good idea, and might not be very expensive.
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
add a comment |
I take it that you intend using the logos of the various companies to show that you do business with them? That would be "nominative use" and would be legal even without permission, but it would be better practice to ask for permission. You would need to make it clear that these companies do not endorse or recommend you (unless they do and say so in writing).
If you get permission, ask about any color variations they are OK with. Would it be possible to put a black or dark color undercard below any logos that are white on transparent? this would make them visible and be a minimal change to the standard form of the logo. Again, the key thing is to make it clear that you are not claiming to be any of those companies, nor to be endorsed by them.
And yes, a short consultation with a lawyer knowledgeable in trademark law would be a very good idea, and might not be very expensive.
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
add a comment |
I take it that you intend using the logos of the various companies to show that you do business with them? That would be "nominative use" and would be legal even without permission, but it would be better practice to ask for permission. You would need to make it clear that these companies do not endorse or recommend you (unless they do and say so in writing).
If you get permission, ask about any color variations they are OK with. Would it be possible to put a black or dark color undercard below any logos that are white on transparent? this would make them visible and be a minimal change to the standard form of the logo. Again, the key thing is to make it clear that you are not claiming to be any of those companies, nor to be endorsed by them.
And yes, a short consultation with a lawyer knowledgeable in trademark law would be a very good idea, and might not be very expensive.
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
I take it that you intend using the logos of the various companies to show that you do business with them? That would be "nominative use" and would be legal even without permission, but it would be better practice to ask for permission. You would need to make it clear that these companies do not endorse or recommend you (unless they do and say so in writing).
If you get permission, ask about any color variations they are OK with. Would it be possible to put a black or dark color undercard below any logos that are white on transparent? this would make them visible and be a minimal change to the standard form of the logo. Again, the key thing is to make it clear that you are not claiming to be any of those companies, nor to be endorsed by them.
And yes, a short consultation with a lawyer knowledgeable in trademark law would be a very good idea, and might not be very expensive.
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
edited Jan 2 at 22:01
Kat
1245
1245
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
answered Jan 2 at 19:52
David SiegelDavid Siegel
15.6k3362
15.6k3362
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
add a comment |
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
7
7
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
+1 - in practice, using their logo to advertise "I'm doing business with them" without permission is legal, but may cause you to no longer do business with them if they'll feel annoyed (or think disclosing it publicly is harmful).
– Mołot
Jan 3 at 10:12
add a comment |
Most large companies are touchy about use of their logos.
Even when they give permission, virtually all of them have logo and style guidelines that they want you to follow. Those guidelines will tell you how to deal with a reverse background.
Further, I gather you are not building this aggregator for free, and you have affiliate deals with some or all of the companies. This is a complex legal contract which you may have clicked past in the blink of an eye, and you may want to take the time to skim it for what it says about brand and logo usage.
The law here? The law (practical) is that if they don't like what you are doing, they hit you with a Cease & Desist, and you stop. Or they threaten to cut off your affiliate payments and you say "yessir!"
The law (actual), if you would rather die on that hill than run your business, is that yeah, you have a limited right to use their names, and possibly their brands and logos, referentially. However, against a well-capitalized granfalloon, the law is less about who's right than who has the stamina for extended litigation. You will get squished unless you're willing to spend 8 hours a day learning to be an amateur lawyer, in which case you can be a tremendous nuisance as a pro-se litigant, at the cost of free time, business, job, spouse, family, etc.
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
add a comment |
Most large companies are touchy about use of their logos.
Even when they give permission, virtually all of them have logo and style guidelines that they want you to follow. Those guidelines will tell you how to deal with a reverse background.
Further, I gather you are not building this aggregator for free, and you have affiliate deals with some or all of the companies. This is a complex legal contract which you may have clicked past in the blink of an eye, and you may want to take the time to skim it for what it says about brand and logo usage.
The law here? The law (practical) is that if they don't like what you are doing, they hit you with a Cease & Desist, and you stop. Or they threaten to cut off your affiliate payments and you say "yessir!"
The law (actual), if you would rather die on that hill than run your business, is that yeah, you have a limited right to use their names, and possibly their brands and logos, referentially. However, against a well-capitalized granfalloon, the law is less about who's right than who has the stamina for extended litigation. You will get squished unless you're willing to spend 8 hours a day learning to be an amateur lawyer, in which case you can be a tremendous nuisance as a pro-se litigant, at the cost of free time, business, job, spouse, family, etc.
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
add a comment |
Most large companies are touchy about use of their logos.
Even when they give permission, virtually all of them have logo and style guidelines that they want you to follow. Those guidelines will tell you how to deal with a reverse background.
Further, I gather you are not building this aggregator for free, and you have affiliate deals with some or all of the companies. This is a complex legal contract which you may have clicked past in the blink of an eye, and you may want to take the time to skim it for what it says about brand and logo usage.
The law here? The law (practical) is that if they don't like what you are doing, they hit you with a Cease & Desist, and you stop. Or they threaten to cut off your affiliate payments and you say "yessir!"
The law (actual), if you would rather die on that hill than run your business, is that yeah, you have a limited right to use their names, and possibly their brands and logos, referentially. However, against a well-capitalized granfalloon, the law is less about who's right than who has the stamina for extended litigation. You will get squished unless you're willing to spend 8 hours a day learning to be an amateur lawyer, in which case you can be a tremendous nuisance as a pro-se litigant, at the cost of free time, business, job, spouse, family, etc.
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
Most large companies are touchy about use of their logos.
Even when they give permission, virtually all of them have logo and style guidelines that they want you to follow. Those guidelines will tell you how to deal with a reverse background.
Further, I gather you are not building this aggregator for free, and you have affiliate deals with some or all of the companies. This is a complex legal contract which you may have clicked past in the blink of an eye, and you may want to take the time to skim it for what it says about brand and logo usage.
The law here? The law (practical) is that if they don't like what you are doing, they hit you with a Cease & Desist, and you stop. Or they threaten to cut off your affiliate payments and you say "yessir!"
The law (actual), if you would rather die on that hill than run your business, is that yeah, you have a limited right to use their names, and possibly their brands and logos, referentially. However, against a well-capitalized granfalloon, the law is less about who's right than who has the stamina for extended litigation. You will get squished unless you're willing to spend 8 hours a day learning to be an amateur lawyer, in which case you can be a tremendous nuisance as a pro-se litigant, at the cost of free time, business, job, spouse, family, etc.
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
edited Jan 3 at 6:00
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
answered Jan 2 at 22:22
HarperHarper
2,9071215
2,9071215
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
add a comment |
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Squished is, I presume, the appropriate official legal term. ;-)
– Craig
Jan 3 at 0:08
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Of course, I'm trying to earn some money by building this site. But for now, my site is not even ready. Firstly, I want to finish it, then earn some audience and reputation, then sign contracts and make money. So, no, I didn't sign any contracts yet.
– rominf
Jan 3 at 5:30
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
Perhaps 'many' would be better than 'most'
– Strawberry
Jan 3 at 16:38
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Law Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2flaw.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f35880%2fcan-i-invert-other-companies-logos-and-use-them-for-advertising-them-on-my-site%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
14
If you're taking the logos as digital files from the companies' web sites, you would probably want to use whatever background color the logo is displayed with on that site. But if you are using companies' logos with the companies permission, they will tell you how you should use the logo. If you're using them without asking for permission, you should probably be talking to a lawyer about this rather than strangers on the internet.
– phoog
Jan 2 at 18:58
11
Companies will usually be happy to answer this question for you if you contact their marketing department. Could be a good way to make some contacts...
– Ian MacDonald
Jan 3 at 1:45
1
Some companies use white logos on a transparent background - so they can never print their logo on an invoice?
– pipe
Jan 3 at 11:27
@pipe sometimes they print a darker (not necessarily black) square around the negative space that is going to be the logo.
– Mindwin
Jan 3 at 12:55