tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post1440294984074182816..comments2024-03-29T03:36:24.040-04:00Comments on Licensed Sports Products: Does a Retailer need an NFL (or MLB or NBA or NHL or NCAA) license to sell licensed sports products from my bricks and mortar store and/or over the internet?Scott Sillcoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-30228457733617680462019-04-14T12:15:13.533-04:002019-04-14T12:15:13.533-04:00There's another distributor of licensed soccer...There's another distributor of licensed soccer merchandise in Canada. They sell things like mugs, scarves, hats, keychains & soccer balls for a lot of big clubs like Barca & Manchester United.<br /><br />www.oracletrading.ca Richard K.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-19947432805900298182019-03-08T15:13:59.114-05:002019-03-08T15:13:59.114-05:00Hi - If you re-send this question to my regular em...Hi - If you re-send this question to my regular email address ( ssillcox at rogers dot com ), I would be happy to give you my two cents worth. Too public a forum here for this question and answer. <br />Thx - ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12773505051617735793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-66434502801266586062019-03-05T09:40:25.020-05:002019-03-05T09:40:25.020-05:00Hi Scott, I was reading your very interesting blog...Hi Scott, I was reading your very interesting blog on Licensed Sports Products. I’m approaching a large Canadian retailer (Giant Tiger) with NHL Licensed products and I feel some hesitation. As per the retailer’s purchaser, they were visited by an NHL official who would have said that new rules would forbid them to sell NHL Licensed products it was more than 2 years old! Does this make sense ? From what I can read on your blog, since I have a letter from my supplier that they have acquired the NHL Licensed products from a NHL licensed distributor, the Canadian retailer should not have any issue to resell these products. <br /><br />Can you guide me towards an official document that I could show to Giant Tiger. <br /><br />Thank you so much for your help. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03824513374354359249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-73863569293576520692017-10-23T16:47:34.307-04:002017-10-23T16:47:34.307-04:00Hi Scott!
I wanted to add something to this discu...Hi Scott!<br /><br />I wanted to add something to this discussion. While you can buy the merchandise from these companies and sell it, online retailers may have a bigger issue. Using the logos, team names, etc, is infringement (from what I can gather). There seems to be a large number of court cases from websites being sued for using these trademarks without authorization. Now one could argue that there are plenty of sports websites up and running, but that doesn't negate the fact that some of them are indeed shut down. Here is a question on a legal forum, answered by attorneys:<br /><br />https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/am-i-in-violation-of-copyright-trademark-laws-if-i-903897.html<br /><br />The consensus is that it's sort of a crap shoot.<br /><br />An online store would be difficult to operate without using such trademarks.<br /><br />Would love to hear your thoughts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-30721083121208215862017-04-21T11:03:07.609-04:002017-04-21T11:03:07.609-04:00Hi dcmz -
Thanks for the note and question. It wou...Hi dcmz -<br />Thanks for the note and question. It would help if you could tell me the name of the company who makes the charms, but I'm 99% certain that if they are based in China then what they are selling are not officially licensed charms. I am not trying to be a spokesperson for the licensing industry, but if you knowingly buy unlicensed merchandise for resale, then that's illegal and the counterfeit product can be seized and you can also be fined. How do you know if a company is officially licensed? You can tell me the company name and the league/school in question, or you can go directly to the league/school and ask them if ABC Company is an official licensee. But if they are based in China and not the US or Canada, then it's a pretty safe bet that they are not an official licensee.<br />Hope this helps -<br />Scott Scott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-13508857941374333792017-04-21T10:51:19.209-04:002017-04-21T10:51:19.209-04:00Hey, first off great article. Question, you may ha...Hey, first off great article. Question, you may have answered this question before on different merchandise however I want to know for sure. <br /><br />I want to purchase team logo charms wholesale from China and resale them on a customized necklace/bracelet. Is this legal/illegal? dey_call_me_zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10260134068793970289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-34007558111318626212017-01-01T10:20:57.395-05:002017-01-01T10:20:57.395-05:00Stephen -
Many thanks for your great question. If...Stephen -<br /><br />Many thanks for your great question. If you zap me your email address I will send you a somewhat long reply. My email is ssillcox at rogers dot com .<br /><br />Many thanks!<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-14593915374110726872016-12-31T14:01:46.185-05:002016-12-31T14:01:46.185-05:00Hi Scott,
I have a question I'm hoping you c...Hi Scott, <br /><br />I have a question I'm hoping you can answer for me.<br /><br />I've personally created my own NFL polo shirts where I bought a polo shirt at a retail store during a great sale then went online and found a quality NFL team logo that I then ironed onto the polo shirt. You'd never know it wasn't an official NFL polo shirt, but I managed to put it al together at a significantly reduced cost than had I bought an official Nike NFL polo. <br /><br />My question then is would I run into legal trouble if I sold plain polo shirts and iron on patches of any pro sports team together from an online site (I live in the USA)? Then the end user would be the one that ironed the patch onto the shirt themselves so in effect I'm not selling say a Patriots, Cowboys (insert any team) completed polo shirt, but rather all the components for the end user to turn it into a look a like official pro team polo?<br /><br />Thanks for your reply.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Stephen<br />Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10500708296993682975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-65449702235615476092016-12-12T06:32:24.695-05:002016-12-12T06:32:24.695-05:00Terrence -
If you send me your email address I wi...Terrence -<br /><br />If you send me your email address I will give you a fairly specific answer to this question. My email is ssillcox at rogers dot com.<br /><br />Thanks!<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-86855059926229381672016-12-11T19:12:36.977-05:002016-12-11T19:12:36.977-05:00Hello Scott!
I bought some Team fabrics from our...Hello Scott! <br /><br />I bought some Team fabrics from our fabric store and wanted to use it to sew onto shirts and sell on Etsy. The fabric store obviously has the rights to the fabric, but chatting with one of the employees, she mentioned that if I used the team fabric to repurpose and sell on Etsy I could be in violation of infringement, which led me to searching the net. What's your take on using Team fabric from a retail fabric to sell, as in making pillows, adding to clothing, etc? Thanks in advance.<br /><br />TerrenceAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728343230819140932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-55508323686369391512016-10-25T10:33:50.678-04:002016-10-25T10:33:50.678-04:00Caesar Productions -
Thanks for the note and when ...Caesar Productions -<br />Thanks for the note and when people ask this question, I suggest perhaps you send me an email ( ssillcox at rogers dot com ) and I will share some thoughts with you. Like many things in life, there are two schools of thought and thus no definitive answer. One school says yes you can do it and there's legal precedent to back you up. The other says that won't prevent the policing bodies from issuing you a Cease and Desist letter, at which point you are faced with an important decision.<br />Thanks -<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-16751024821584597912016-10-19T12:04:53.709-04:002016-10-19T12:04:53.709-04:00Hello Scott,
I love all of the work you out in thi...Hello Scott,<br />I love all of the work you out in this page, it's very informative. My question is do I need a specific license for what I do. I buy hats from official places like Fanatics or New Era and then I embellish them with genuine Swarovski crystals and then resell the hats. Could I get in trouble for doing this, I really hope not. I just wanted to make sure.<br />Thank you in advance,<br />Caesar Productions Caesar Productionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05607359023459153500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-15041671080315276142016-06-21T13:41:59.867-04:002016-06-21T13:41:59.867-04:00Hi -
Thanks for also sending me a note directly t...Hi -<br /><br />Thanks for also sending me a note directly to ssillcox at rogers.com - I have now replied to your question directly via email.<br /><br />Thanks<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-41785428816581583242016-06-21T13:30:34.058-04:002016-06-21T13:30:34.058-04:00Hi Scot I want to make apparel and put team logos/...Hi Scot I want to make apparel and put team logos/patches on them and sell the apparel at retail if I am using a licensed logo say a iron on patch from say the Cowboys would there be any problem selling say a tee shirt with a licensed logo on it at retail?<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-75784792096389707542016-04-25T08:51:41.401-04:002016-04-25T08:51:41.401-04:00Hi Beck -
The short answer is as posted above.
I...Hi Beck -<br /><br />The short answer is as posted above.<br /><br />I see that you posted two questions to me and if you'd like a more in-depth answer, I'd like to answer you directly. Can you zap me your email address - my email is ssillcox@rogers.com ?<br /><br />Thanks -<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-88143249849822670892016-04-24T22:42:22.076-04:002016-04-24T22:42:22.076-04:00Hello Scott, my question is similar, nfl fabric pu...Hello Scott, my question is similar, nfl fabric purchased, make a product to sell direct to customer? ex. stocking, blanket, pet clothes. Thank you for a very Valuable informative site!Beckbeckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03249302611952960375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-33701963572692646682016-03-27T18:44:25.390-04:002016-03-27T18:44:25.390-04:00Marc -
Many thanks for your great comments!
1. ...Marc -<br /><br />Many thanks for your great comments! <br /><br />1. Any chance you can suggest what "Global Licensee" you work for, and therefore what licensee retailers in Europe can approach? Please give as much contact info as you can including what "Global" licenses your company holds.<br /><br />2. By any chance do you have a list of "Global Licensees" of the NFL?<br /><br />Many thanks -<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-8026743105342402392016-03-26T09:13:12.101-04:002016-03-26T09:13:12.101-04:00Hi Scott
Very interesting article. I work for on...Hi Scott<br /><br />Very interesting article. I work for one of the largest licensees for NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB etc... in Europe and just wanted to point something out for your readers.<br /><br />Whilst you are correct that wholesalers/distributors in the US can supply retailers in Europe, theoretically they shouldn't (for two reasons).<br /><br />1. Labelling/Packaging: the requirements in Europe are different to those in the US, different markings required, languages, warnings, health & safety requirements are also very different.<br /><br />2. This leads to QC, testing etc... The requirements for testing (especially things like plush toys for example) are very different in Europe. The labelling again has to be different.<br /><br />The best solution is to buy from a global licensee who manufactures for both territories..<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />MarcMarc Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-25698843497706641302016-03-08T17:07:46.439-05:002016-03-08T17:07:46.439-05:00Hi Scott
I have a small side business making a ta...Hi Scott<br /><br />I have a small side business making a tailgating game called cornhole or bags. I hand draw and paint (no stickers) a large genre of logos - ie: NFL, NCAA, MLB, Music Bands, MLS, European Soccer, other small companies etc. Will I run into a problem if I wanted to expand any bigger than a small side buisness?<br /><br />ThanksGriff's Cornholehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13206502028945398217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-51614799613055643632016-02-22T08:37:46.196-05:002016-02-22T08:37:46.196-05:00Joe:
1. What you would like to do is completely l...Joe:<br /><br />1. What you would like to do is completely legal, so no issues on that front.<br /><br />2. What I think you may have trouble with is finding a company which will sell jerseys to you on a wholesale basis, or at least at a wholesale price that allows you to make money. In general terms, the jersey manufacturers don't like small retailers (bricks and mortar or online retailers) to have access to their jerseys because they upset the business model by selling jerseys at prices lower than the manufacturers wish. So my advice is make sure you have found a supplier(s) who will sell to you and at a fair price before you spend too much time on developing your website etc.<br /><br />Good luck -<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-78458493315906635852016-02-22T00:21:24.820-05:002016-02-22T00:21:24.820-05:00Just a quick question. I am looking at purchasing ...Just a quick question. I am looking at purchasing whole sale replica soccer jerseys and then selling on a US based website. Wondering if it is legally too sell these items. If you can answer or even point me to the information it would be much appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />JoeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075860637841114099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-34884787431346371482016-02-22T00:18:32.918-05:002016-02-22T00:18:32.918-05:00Just a quick question. I am looking at purchasing ...Just a quick question. I am looking at purchasing whole sale replica soccer jerseys and then selling on a US based website. Wondering if it is legally too sell these items. If you can answer or even point me to the information it would be much appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />JoeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13075860637841114099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-85577841420495779872016-01-25T09:44:57.807-05:002016-01-25T09:44:57.807-05:00That is wonderful! Thank YouThat is wonderful! Thank YouAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-53046559046155362052016-01-21T10:43:51.118-05:002016-01-21T10:43:51.118-05:00Hi Patricia -
Many thanks for this and I have now...Hi Patricia -<br /><br />Many thanks for this and I have now added Mimi Imports into my online database www.LicensedSports.net as a Distributor. The database now has about 75 US-based and 15 Canadian-based distributors.<br /><br />Thanks -<br />ScottScott Sillcoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380056233369712814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4710884450586685381.post-67435197744955303782016-01-20T13:46:12.980-05:002016-01-20T13:46:12.980-05:00Hello,
I thought I could bring this one up. Here i...Hello,<br />I thought I could bring this one up. Here is a Canadian distributor that has a variety of soccer merchandise. You can filter it by club or nation and it has a variety of items from clothing, to pint glass and everything in between. <br /><br />https://mimiimports.com/product-category/soccer-merchandise-in-canada/<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com