The Salem High Seminoles become fighting words (and images).
A graduate of Salem High School sent me this story about Florida State University’s complaints about the Rockdale County school’s use of “Seminole” in their sports program, and the school board’s decision to comply with the university’s demands to avoid a costly lawsuit.
The “official” home of the Seminoles, FSU said Salem High’s and Memorial Middle’s use of the word “Seminole” and their corresponding logos was a violation of its trademark rights.
The reader said: “While I know this isn’t as intriguing as cheating scandals and corrupt school boards, as a Salem High alumni and public school teacher, I find this to be appalling. What a ridiculous thing to do to a school any time, but certainly in a budget crisis. Shame on FSU.”
Here is part of the story from the Rockdale Citizen. Take a look at the entire story:
Rockdale County Public Schools will have to replace athletic and band apparel, wall and floor paintings and school stationery at Salem High School and Memorial Middle School after a settlement with Florida State University for alleged violation of trademark rights.
In August, the Collegiate Licensing Company contacted Salem High School on behalf of the University to express its concern of the school’s use of the word “Seminole” and the school’s Seminole head and spear logo.
“I find it appalling that a university would go after a school system for this, especially in these economic times, when we can’t stand up and fight,” school board member Darlene Hotchkiss said. “If we had the money, there’s part of me that would fight this to the end.”
Salem High School opened in 1991 and Memorial Middle School opened in 1993, and they have used the same wording and the same or similar logos since opening. Originally, SHS used a different logo and at some point over the years switched to the current logo with an Indian head and spear, according to Cindy Ball, director of Community Relations at RCPS.
The Rockdale County Board of Education approved a settlement and license agreement with FSU after executive session at its monthly school board meeting on Thursday. Hotchkiss and Vice Chairwoman Jean Yontz voted against the agreement.
“I cannot believe FSU thinks Salem High School is a threat to them monetarily,” Yontz said Friday. “What about all of the other high schools in America?”
School board Chairman Wales Barksdale said spending money on further litigation wouldn’t be beneficial to the school system. “It’s their marks, and they have them,” he said. “I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I don’t see spending the money for it. … We worked out an agreement where we have time to change things.”
According to the agreement, which school board attorney Jack Lance has reviewed, Salem High and Memorial Middle must discontinue their existing use of the Seminole head design mark, the lady Seminole head design mark, the spear design mark and the words “Seminoles” and “Noles” unless it is with the school’s name.
Salem has 30 days to remove the items from its website and publications. It has until Aug. 1, 2011, to remove them from the football helmets; until Aug. 1, 2016, to remove them from the campus walls and floors and from all athletic uniforms; until Aug. 1, 2019 to remove them from all band uniforms; and until Aug. 1, 2012, to remove them from baseball caps. They can use their stationery until it’s exhausted.
At Memorial Middle School, it only has to remove the items from its website and publications within 30 days and from its school crest by Aug. 1, 2014. It, too, can use stationery with the items until its exhausted.
Ball said if RCPS had to make all of the requested changes within 30 days, it would have cost an estimated $50,000. However, Lance worked it out for the agreement to be nominal costs to the school system over a period of time — decals on the helmets will be replaced when they are refurbished each summer and varsity sports uniforms are replaced every three years.
Lance said it could cost RCPS about $250,000 to defend a federal lawsuit.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
94 comments Add your comment
WE lost our way
March 19th, 2011
10:56 am
Silly yes! However UGA had to get trademark rights from Green Bay Packers to use the big G on all University logos and sport uniforms back in the 60,s.
Andre
March 19th, 2011
11:09 am
I agree I hate the fact colleges are doing this, but that’s about of life, protect what is your’s. Colleges sent the word out YEARS ago about high schools using their logos and they would be pursuing legal action. I remember seeing a special on ESPN a long time ago about it. So this didn’t just happen, Salem had the opportunity like everybody else to change on their own before FSU would come in, but they decided to wait and hope to slip through the cracks.
Helena
March 19th, 2011
11:17 am
I believe that companies/organizations can lose a trademark if they don’t defend it. Legally, they have to stop anyone else (even, say, a 6yo girls’ soccer team) from copying it, or a judge could later say that “Seminoles” and the logo are in the public domain because FSU didn’t take measures to stop others from copying it.
That said… yeah, this stinks for Salem High. I wish both parties could’ve negotiated something instead of a very costly cease-and-desist, especially given how this is the last thing Rockdale County can afford right now.
Henry D.
March 19th, 2011
11:21 am
Funny after Salem using the logo for all these years, FSU makes an issue of it as soon as Bobby Bowdern retires. I can’t believe FSU really thinks this will cost them any money or misunderstandings for them.
Charlie S.
March 19th, 2011
11:27 am
By the way, has any of the real Seminoles that were kicked out of Florida and southern Georgia contacted Florida State about improper use of their images or name? I don’t they were ever really truly paid.
Chuck
March 19th, 2011
11:34 am
This is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, I can understand any professional team protecting their trademark rights from a university, but a university protecting those rights vs. a high school and middle school is preposterous. First, the university should be elated that a high school would emulate the university’s logo. That is like FREE advertising for that university. Secondly, a local school district has little if any national draw when it comes to the sale of promotional items that would use the university’s logo.
Inside the Georgia Dome there is a wall of helmets representing every high school in the state of Georgia. Other high schools have not only copied FSU’s logo, but quite a few other university logos. Will the other universities bring legal action against those high schools?
catlady
March 19th, 2011
11:56 am
They had time to comply; they didn’t. FSU is being quite generous in allowing them to phase it in so gradually.
And, yes, Charlie B, a few years ago when there was a federal move to take the Seminole name away because it was “degrading,” THE SEMINOLE TRIBE officially came out in favor of FSU retaining the name!
Charlie S.
March 19th, 2011
11:58 am
Who the hell is Charlie B?
Charlie S.
March 19th, 2011
11:58 am
Sorry, meant to say “heck.” LOL
Lee
March 19th, 2011
12:07 pm
College sports has become big business with hundreds of millions (billions?) of dollars exchanging hands each year. They turn a blind eye to alleged player payola and academic shenanigans but let a high school team copy a logo and wham!, they’re all over that.
Why does FSU care about a lowly high school team using its insignia? Because there are millions of dollars at stake in the sale of merchandise with the Seminole logo.
It’s all about the money.
Outside the Perimeter
March 19th, 2011
12:33 pm
What I would dearly love to see is the Seminole Nation filing a federal lawsuit against the Florida State College for Women! Never heard of that school? that was the original name for FSU!
catlady
March 19th, 2011
12:39 pm
Sorry, Charlie. B, S, whatever.
OTP: My mom and all her sisters were graduates of FlaStaCoWa. It was not called “the Seminoles” at that point.
NoleGradLaw
March 19th, 2011
12:45 pm
To add to comments made by others, Charlie S., not only does the tribal chief approve of the use of the Seminole name, the tribe overwhelmingly voted in favor of the use. They are generously paid in the millions as well, as part of the agreement to share the profits from licensing. It’s a win-win for both sides down there.
someone please quantify the loss to FSU
March 19th, 2011
12:49 pm
i’m struggling with how this high school’s use of Seminole as a mascot damages FSU. There are many high schools that have bulldog as a mascot – yet somehow UGA managed to make $80M last year on football alone, and sold boatloads of merchandise.
FSU may have the “right” to do this, but it smacks of greed. May whoever FSU plays next win!
Kelly
March 19th, 2011
12:56 pm
Hey, OTP, you might want to study up before you make idiotic comments like that. The Seminole Tribe of Florida works very closely with FSU, and actually fought for the university to continue using the Seminole name. The tribe even designs many of the costumes used by the school. Why would it matter to you if they sue anyone?
Also, I’m not sure what point you were trying to make regarding the university’s previous name, which by the way WASN’T the original name. It was originally West Florida Seminary, and didn’t become FSCW until many years later. So basically, your statement was wrong on all counts!
Teacher's Husband
March 19th, 2011
1:09 pm
Anyone that is against FSU taking action in the case has never built a company/trademark/brand of their own. FSU is clearly in the right on this one, no matter whose feelings it hurts.
Teacher's Husband
March 19th, 2011
1:11 pm
OTP you are an idiot. Plain and simple. The Seminole tribe has given FSU its full blessing.
not a Bobby Bowden fan
March 19th, 2011
1:13 pm
So, does this mean that any high school athletic program that has the same mascot/logo as a college or pro team is at risk? Off the bat that would hit most of the HS teams in my county – Lions, Wildcats, Eagles, Panthers, Hawks, Blue Devils, the list goes on. If that’s what it means this could get ugly, and expensive.
Teacher's Husband
March 19th, 2011
1:19 pm
@not a Bobby Bowden fan
Yes. I am a Clemson Alumnus and I see high schools using the TRADEMARKED Clemson tiger paw all over the country. Most schools are doing a disservice to the logo by using it for wildcats, panthers, dogs, and whatever other silly mascot they can come up with. The trademarked Clemson tigers paw is actually an imprint from a REAL Bengal tiger. Makes people look pretty stupid using the logo for other animals and its damaging to the brand that Clemson tried to create.
Anyway. Clemson trademarked the paw for a reason. It’s the same as Coca-Cola trade marking their script logo. It’s to protect the company and the brand they have built. It’s no different for a university that invests millions into creating a financially viable brand.
There are a lot of schools that will just pay the licensing fee rather than risk the lawsuit. If they don’t then they really deserve what is coming.
Kingbyrd
March 19th, 2011
2:01 pm
This is just another reason to hate Free Shoes University.
South Georgia Administrator
March 19th, 2011
2:11 pm
What are the chances of Salem’s high school guidance counselors suggesting to a senior to consider FSU! Salem pick a better mascot…like the “Gators”…. and I’m a Dawgs fan!
Stumpy Pete
March 19th, 2011
2:19 pm
FSU has a great relationship with the Seminole nation who make millions from this logo. Shame on RCPS for not checking if they were violating any trademarks with their logos. Trademarks have to be protected at all costs or the owner can lose them. I am sure if RCPS had checked they could’ve used something similar with no cost. FSU is not at fault here.
Rockdale Resident
March 19th, 2011
2:25 pm
I wonder if the other two schools in the county will have to change? Heritage High uses the Patriots of New England fame, and Rockdale County High uses the Bulldog. I understand the copyright issue, but it seems that it should be fairly enforced, not just picking and choosing.
KimZ'sPackage
March 19th, 2011
2:31 pm
Creekside in Fairburn, Ga is the Seminoles too. Why have they not been sued by FSU?
Giant
March 19th, 2011
2:33 pm
Pansy world we live in now. I am tough enough to do and say what I want to. On purpose I hope I do not rub folks wrong but if I do, so dang what. The reason we have open pansies now is, do I hurt your tender sissy feeling?
oldtimer
March 19th, 2011
2:44 pm
Tigers and bulldogs in every county all over the place..but in many cases the mascot and logo look somewhat different….
Paterno
March 19th, 2011
3:05 pm
Where football helmets with no logo,
Like Penn State.
Heat of the night
March 19th, 2011
3:10 pm
Request Nike to donate new uniforms to Salem High.
Fred
March 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
My understanding is that professional teams allow k-12 to use their logos and names at no charge. That is not true of colleges. Even the rec leagues cannot use college names and mascots unless they are part of the license agreement. [sigh] It is all about the money.
Tom
March 19th, 2011
3:30 pm
Fred, for most schools it’s really more about trademark and licensing protection than money. There are numerous public schools that use Tech’s familiar “Buzz” logo and have signed agreements with Tech to do so. Tech charges a school $1….yes, $1….for the use. They have to charge the token fee in order to legally protect the trademark against unlicensed commercial use.
Richard Braswell
March 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
Seminole County, Georgia…home of the SCHS Indians. I guess Seminole County High School is grandfathered. FSU could make a case for ownership of ‘thug’, based on the antics of the football players.
Bobby
March 19th, 2011
3:51 pm
I like Georgia Tech’s approach to the issue. Why couldn’t FSU simply charge Salem High School $1? Instead they have to penalize a high school. Shame on FSU.
Incidentally, Florida has filed complaints against a couple of schools in Florida for using their logo and Gator name.
swsjr
March 19th, 2011
3:59 pm
Nothing wrong with using “Seminoles”, but shouldn’t use the Logo. Gotta go with the University on that one.
Courtney
March 19th, 2011
4:05 pm
Only an idiotic FSU graduate would think this little HS would be any threat. Especially a college that cannot get 20,000 fans to attend their football games.
Joe
March 19th, 2011
4:06 pm
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the fact that FSU is sanctioned by the Seminole nation to use their tribe as a mascot. It’s been written about ad nauseum.
Shame on Salem for not doing their homework and assuming that the logo could be adopted without any due deference to the Seminole nation or Florida State Univ. Doing so would be carelessly piggybacking on the history and honor of the tribe that FSU has tried so hard to honor. This is the administrator’s fault.
AtlFlamesFan
March 19th, 2011
4:09 pm
Yes, FSU is 100% in the right. They do have an agreement with the Seminole Nation to use the name (and I believe that FSU DOES NOT pay them to use the name). That is unlike the situation at U of N. Dakota. This is the last year that the team can be called the Fighting Sioux, because the Sioux tribe does not want them to use the name.
citizen from the area
March 19th, 2011
4:57 pm
The actual decision was that Salem can keep the “Seminole” as their mascot but they have to deversify it from FSUs. They use to have a different image of the Seminole but they are now using the exact trademark of FSU. They also can’t just say “Seminole” they have to use the school name with it.
Andre
March 19th, 2011
5:06 pm
Here’s a story from ABC news from last year on ABC news. About Florida and Florida State. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/universities-high-schools-stop-logos/story?id=12170586&page=1
ViewFromMidtown
March 19th, 2011
5:27 pm
Kingbyrd, FSU is not the only, nor the first, university to exercise their rights against a high school that is infringing on its trademark; off-hand Florida has also had a recent high-profile case agains a high school using their Gator logo. And ‘not a BB fan’, it’s not the mascot name by itself that is the problem; particularly in the case of those very generic mascot names, it’s the outright copying of the logos that are distinctive. As others have pointed out, there is a concept under trademark law known as trademark dilution and to help prevent that, trademark owners must actively protect their marks.
The simple fact is that at some point, the coaches and/or principal of the schools in question were negligent when they chose to illegally copy these trademarked logos.
Trolls R Us
March 19th, 2011
5:43 pm
Their new mascot should be the banana slugs.
That way they won’t get sued.
No wait, there is probably some nutty college in California that has that one too.
Trolls R Us
March 19th, 2011
5:49 pm
Here’s a way to raise money.
Have a contest to name the new mascot.
Each entree cost $5.
A group of finalists is chosen of names not taken nationwide.
Student vote decides winner or faculty if students would be too time consuming.
Winner should get something; maybe season tickets?
Mikey D
March 19th, 2011
6:07 pm
A few years ago, Chapel Hill High in Douglas County got a cease and desist order from Penn State. The high school’s panther logo inside an oval was too similar to PSU’s nittany lion logo, and PSU threatened legal action. So, this sort of thing isn’t new, although it is all pretty silly.
Devildog
March 19th, 2011
6:12 pm
They’ll have to go after Westside (Macon) and several other schools, too. There are a lot of Georgia high school teams that call themselves Seminoles.
Devildog
March 19th, 2011
6:34 pm
Oh, and will they sue every Braves fan for doing the Tomahawk Chop and the chant?
What stupidity! This is lawyers looking for work.
Bryan G.
March 19th, 2011
6:35 pm
How about change the school name to the “Salem Witches”?
Go Figure
March 19th, 2011
6:38 pm
I live just actoss the border from Tallahassee. I can tell you that there is not a lot of smarts on that campus. I worked with an FSU grad that did not have a clue. Not much respect here. In fact, I have not met an FSU grad that I would consider as having 2 functioning brain cells or anything better that the personality of a pile of horse flop.
It makes my blood boil
March 19th, 2011
6:40 pm
Like this is so important? I am surprised that the AJC is wearing its kid gloves as Ed It’s All About the Children Heatley is destroying what’s left of the Clayton County school system.
Seminole fan
March 19th, 2011
7:08 pm
This isn’t the first time FSU has approached a school for use of the Seminole logo. I went to Southeast High School in Bradenton, FL. Our logo looks just like FSU’s Seminole head, but our colors are orange and blue. Southeast HS had issues last fall, but it was resolved, and Southeast will remain the Seminoles. More info here http://www.bradenton.com/2010/08/26/2530397/fsu-to-southeast-nix-the-seminole.html and here http://www.bradenton.com/2010/08/28/2535466/fsu-allows-southeast-to-remain.html
Johnny
March 19th, 2011
7:35 pm
Here we go with the “…in these economic times…” bit. I can use that in almost any/every whining scenario and the weaklings will have sympathy for me.
No Kids!
March 19th, 2011
8:59 pm
They don’t have to buy band uniforms!!! Note the agreement gives them YEARS to change the band uniforms. You can bet the agreement was worked coincedentally with when the high school planned to replace existing uniforms. The athletic helmets must be done this year but baseball hats can be worn for the current season. Next year they order new hats anyway and they will simply buy new ones without the current logo. So exactly why is this news other than the fact we angered YOU because you loved your NOLES! LOL No real monetary damage except painting over the current logos over the next several years. $ damage…maybe $20. Buy a gallon of paint when its on sale and likely can be done for less than $15.
No Kids!
March 19th, 2011
9:02 pm
Go Figure….how is that any different than UGA. Surely you don’t believe there is much difference academically between these two schools? We are both known for exactly two things…agriculture and coeds. How many current UGA grads work for Walmart or Tyson Poultry??? WOW…really tough school!!! LOL
Old School
March 19th, 2011
9:55 pm
Why not go with a truly fearsome nickname like the fighting Auditors or maybe the spending Legislators? There’s always mascots like the Lobbyists or Bernie Madoffs. Imagine the greenback uniforms with sparkly dollar signs.
I just think with a little imagination, a clever nickname and mascot could be adopted. If they wanted an animal, why not Roadkill? Nice gray uniforms with a splash of red on a diagonal dark gray tire track would certainly set them apart from the other schools.
gtfanfrom1951
March 19th, 2011
10:14 pm
If UGA, Tech, AU, Clemson took all the teams to court that use their names. The courts would be filled just with those law suits. Some FSU must needed the money after paying for all those recruits.
gtfanfrom1951
March 19th, 2011
10:16 pm
Some school like FSU..Sorry but it makes me mad
Dobearsbare
March 19th, 2011
11:45 pm
As has already been pointed out, this is not new. It is, however, quickly getting old. If memory serves, Creekside High School also uses the FSU design scheme. Did they get a nastygram from FSU? And if they did, would they then steer their athletes away from Tallahassee? Yes, the law is the law, but seems devoid of enlightened self interest on the colleges’ part. If they’re going to go there, then it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see a congressional probe into their finances, the BCS structure, exploitation of student-athletes and other things. They want to bully high schools, then give them some of their own medicine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/27/sports/football/27logos.html?_r=1
Colonel Bob
March 20th, 2011
12:19 am
All athletic coaches at Salem should ban FSU recruiters from the school. If this expands, pretty soon high schools will not have any mascots as the pros and colleges trademark everything in sight.
Courtney
March 20th, 2011
1:45 am
You would think that Salem was giving FSU a compliment and it would help with recruiting and sales of hats and tshirts. I cannot understand at all why FSU would do this.
Matt the Brave
March 20th, 2011
1:59 am
From two experiences with these logos from major colleges: 1) Oconee County High School years ago adopted the spear helmet that FSU uses. They had to pay the company that supplied the decals a fee that was paid to FSU. I am wondering if for some reason this school has not done this?
2) West Georgia before they became the Wolves (ug) also adopted the spear helmet. They also paid a fee via the decal distributor to use the logo.
Not that I’m defending FSU: they really don’t profit anything but bad publicity from this, but it does make you wonder if someone missed a step somewhere in terms of branding and/or payments to the right people.
Matt the Brave
March 20th, 2011
2:01 am
And No Kids!, they will have to buy new band uniforms. You can’t just paint over a logo on a jacket, nor can you really take it off without having them look like crap.
Legend of Len Barker
March 20th, 2011
3:23 am
On the surface, this sounds frivolous, but you have to make an effort to protect your trademark against everyone. If they ignore anyone, someone can bring a suit against FSU and make a case on, “Well, they didn’t go after the Salem Seminoles, so they must not really care about who’s using their logos.”
I hate that just about every new high school to come along in the past 20 years has this type of nickname. Cross Creek is the Razorbacks, Kell the Longhorns. Neither has anything to do with the heritage of either area. They’re just nicknames of popular colleges. I know we can’t always be as original and historic as the Clarkston Angoras, but I’ve seen enough Tigers, Wolverines, Patriots, Mustangs, Chargers, Wolves, Panthers, and Warriors to last a lifetime. That said, my alma mater continues to be politically incorrect and is probably infringing copyright with its fight song.
Jack
March 20th, 2011
7:08 am
We have students graduating from high school who can’t read and we are worried about logos?
RT Bird
March 20th, 2011
7:11 am
Shouldn’t a school be about doing things the right way? Not stealing trademarks etc.
Having a bunch of grown ups whine and moan over a mascot change just teaches the kids to have misplaced priorities. If proper planning had been done in 1991 – they would not be in this position.
And for all who ask, what about other schools…..???? Oh, that is a mature argument. I think I used that once, when I was 6. Do what is right. Don’t steal from others.
Turn this into a positive and move on. Have a contest to design the next mascot. Let go people. Pick your battles. I’m sure there are 100 more important problems at Salem than a mascot change.
Batgirl
March 20th, 2011
9:13 am
A middle school in my district received a cease and desist order from the Boston Bruins for illegal use of its logo. The principal didn’t think anyone around here would recognize it. A new high school in the district has copied West Virginia University using the mountaineers as its mascot even though the high school is in a valley. It’s logo is very similar, but some changes have been made. Apparently WVU has not gone after them.
Not Buying It
March 20th, 2011
10:28 am
The fault goes to Rockdale County School Board for not noticing this in the first place. It was a trademark infringement from the beginning and never should have been used. Seminoles did not get them in trouble it was the logos. Don’t blame FSU for Rockdale County not knowing the law. They should have never used the logos in the first place.
How Ridiculous
March 20th, 2011
10:01 pm
How silly this whole thing is. I am an Alumni of Salem High School, and I find this whole thing ridiculous. Salem is a High School, not a University. Why on Earth does it even matter? It is not like the school is some big deal that everyone sees. It is one school on the outskirts of Atlanta that nobody in the city even recognizes. Shame on you FSU for making such a big deal out of it. Your University obviously does not see the importance of school pride if your willing to make a High School start all over again.
Shame on FSU
March 20th, 2011
10:15 pm
Love the comment…”recruits from FSU should be banned from Salem”. This is ridiculious! We have tradegies like whats going on in Japan and other parts of the world and FSU is worried about the use of their logo and name being used by a high school. FSU, put your time and energy and money into something that truely matters. It would be awesome if another university could approach Salem high school and have their logo and name used for free. That would be just awesome and would speak volumes of a university like that.
Randall
March 20th, 2011
11:29 pm
I believe 100% in copyrights….but first things first….last I checked the Seminoles are an Indian tribe…since when did that word belong to FSU….I am just asking…
rw
March 20th, 2011
11:34 pm
FSU is legally obligated to protect its registered trademarks. If it does not, then it can lose its rights to the trademark. FSU doesn’t really care if a small high school uses its trademark, but if it fails to enforce the trademark in this case then it could lose the right to prevent a for-profit company from selling merchandise using the FSU logo.
rw
March 20th, 2011
11:43 pm
@Randall – I believe that FSU has an agreement with the Seminole Tribe. Here’s a link to an article about FSU being allowed to keep the name Seminole in spite of an NCAA ban on such names:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/24/sports/24mascot.html?_r=1
Warrior Woman
March 21st, 2011
11:49 am
The problem isn’t that the mascot is “Seminoles,” it’s that the mascot and all the logos/graphics are nearly identical to the FSU design. To quote from the article, “Originally, SHS used a different logo and at some point over the years switched to the current logo with an Indian head and spear, according to Cindy Ball, director of Community Relations at RCPS.”
Amie
March 21st, 2011
3:22 pm
If you take the time to look at Salem High’s website, you will understand why FSU won this lawsuit. They not only copied the Seminole Head Logo, but the Garnet and Gold colors, the helmet design, the Spear design…..everything! Simple job of cut and paste on all the FSU logos. Imitation is the greatest form of compliment, but this is way past simple imitation! The university has worked very hard to work with the Seminole Tribe and earn their cooperation and respect. I am suprised that the the Seminoles have not gone after this high school themselves! Logos are trademarks. Check out the Salem High Football team website and you will understand. Go Noles!
TinaTeach
March 21st, 2011
3:26 pm
I really do believe that Salem was the sacrefical (sp?) goat for FSU this year. I’ve heard that the symbol is up for copyright renewal and if FSU can’t prove that they’ve defended the use of it then it can be declared public domain and all sorts of knock-offs can be made.
I work in the RCPS and I have to say that, while yes copyright law is important, couldn’t FSU have worked something out with the school board so that they could continue to use the symbol but credit it to FSU?
not needed
March 21st, 2011
4:46 pm
im a student of memorial middle and our skool is broke y cant they spare us?! we r gud ppl
memorial middle school student
March 21st, 2011
4:52 pm
im not trying to rat out mi school but we are broke we cant even afford simple things! they think this is a joke but it is not we are nice people yea maybe we get drug issues now and then but we are good im in 7th grade and i believe this is stupid we have had this mascot since 4ever and now they notice this?! i think they just want money! my cousin (who is now married and has a baby) grauated (forgive my spelling) from there. all of family went there so something is really fishy!
Atlanta Media Guy
March 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
Hey Shame on you! Please stop with the world is going down the drain logic. Does that mean that lawyers and employees, most likely students, who found the Salem HS website ,should stop doing their jobs because Japan is radioactive? Your logic is a bit flawed. We’re suppose to just stop with our lives and stay in our homes, because an earthquake, tsunami and Nuclear Power disaster has changed Japan forever!? The day the earth moved in Asia, Obama played 18 holes of golf. See how your logic is a bit flawed here? Obama sent our soldiers into battle over the weekend and decided to keep his plans for his trip to Rio. The world must go on. We donate, we help when we can and we continue taking our kids to Little League.
The tribe and FSU are obligated to protect their trademarks. The tribe works very closely with FSU and the school does send a check to the tribe annually. When the NCAA passed their respect clause for mascots, the tribe worked closely with the school to get the NCAA to allow the continue use of the logo.
student
March 21st, 2011
4:58 pm
Salem High School is a great school. I see the school logo every single day , it is not the same.
There are some similarities , but it’s not exactly the same ….. s m h !
I believe SHS is no threat to FSU , come on now , they are a college & salem is a high school ….
Now i have to defend FSU , they could’ve sued Salem for every item they sold with the logo and work seminole on it . Salem has been open for 19 years … if you add the total of all of the fundraisers , sports gear , and other things of that sort , Rockdale county would be BANKRUPT .
I also attended Memorial Middle School , They dont really have the FSU symbol inside the school , they have a mural on the wall in the gym , it’s a full bodied picture that looks nothing like the FSU logo , so they won’t have to change anything……. i think ?!
GGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
student
March 21st, 2011
5:14 pm
@ STUDENT
i meant to take the second line “it is not the same” out .
i also meant to say word , not work in the 2nd paragraph &’d 2nd line .
HB
March 21st, 2011
6:06 pm
I think the school’s demands for removing the logos are reasonable. It’s a trademarked image. The school needs to either create their own or acquire a license to use someone else’s. Georgia Southern similarly required a high school to stop using their Eagles logo last year. They were very reasonable about it. I believe they gave the school a year to remove it from jersey’s, etc. The high school had a couple of murals with the logo that GSU has agreed to grant a license for until the wall needs to be repainted at a cost of $1 per year.
Dood
March 21st, 2011
7:31 pm
Hahaha, i went to this school…i also live right next to it. T^T
MBAJacket
March 21st, 2011
10:14 pm
This is basic trademark law and they are forced by law to protect their mark, or else they lose it.
Yes, it sucks it’s a school in this case, but FSU’s hands are tied.
Kat at Salem
March 21st, 2011
11:10 pm
@No Kids!
1) Paint won’t get rid of the designs we have in the gym. There is a huge Indian face on the floor that has been there forever
2) The stupid principle we have now spent our money painting the whole place the freakin’ school colors so we definitely don’t have money to redecorate again.
The Nerd
March 22nd, 2011
8:48 am
Hey, Cedar Shoals (my Alma Mater) has a football helmet and it’s accompanied logo looks exactly like the Clemson Tigers (BOO CLEMSON) except that the logo in question is orange, and the background of the helment is blue (hence, my school’s colors)!
Me
March 22nd, 2011
9:12 am
Being a school with limited funds should not allow use of trademarked names and insignia. Any owner of these trademarks/copyrights has the right to defend their use. It would be no different if the company were Coke, Pepsi, etc. Seems the school system(s) should have requested permission up front instead of “assuming” the trademark owner wouldn’t mind.
Ghostrider
March 22nd, 2011
9:13 am
Who cares……Really
JC
March 22nd, 2011
9:20 am
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And as absurd as it might seem, there is a positive correlation between these high school mascots and athletes from those schools choosing to go to the college with the same mascot.
Gen. Custer
March 22nd, 2011
9:20 am
Change the mascot to the Diseased Europeans…
FSU needs something else to do with its time...
March 22nd, 2011
9:41 am
FSU is stupid. To pick on state schools at a time fo severe budget crunches is appaling. Free Shoes U should be sick to their stomachs…….A bunch of idiots down there….
Cindy Lou
March 22nd, 2011
9:50 am
I think it’s quite humorous that this is now happening to Salem. As a former teacher at Salem, I can tell you that the school’s “we are better than everyone” attitude made it difficult for someone not from Rockdale County to be accepted into their beloved school. After Mr. Cresswell left, things really went down hill quickly. It’s high time they are held accountable for the way things are done there.
Cindy
March 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
I’d love to know just how much money other Rockdale County Seminole parents and faculty members have spent on FSU’s website, purchasing logo clothing and accessories. As a parent of three proud Salem Seminoles, I know I have spent a small fortune at FSU, and even encouraged my children to consider FSU as a post high school option. That encouragement came from my awareness of the school through their website. I can’t believe some less expensive alternative couldn’t be reached in this situation. I am truly disappointed in FSU, and myself now, for contributing to their bottom line, when they didn’t think twice about taking away from ours!
plagwate
March 22nd, 2011
9:53 am
One of these schools even went so far as to steal FSU’s fight song, substituting “Florida State” with their own school name and using it as their own. Cmon now, really? Imitation is one thing but this is down right laziness. FSU has the right and the obligation to protect their brand. These high schools have the obligation to set an example and teach their students about respecting what belongs to others. Quit whining. The high schools cheated, took a shortcut and got caught. Now they have to pay the consequences. The same thing happened recently in Lake Mary, FL where they stole the Dodge Ram logo. That’s life. Time to move on and exercise a little creativity of your own.
Florida Special ed University
March 22nd, 2011
10:13 am
This comes from the Florida Special ed University what do you expect / they need this money to pay their athletes i mean tutors / as a suggestion have a contest to redesign the indian head and spear that is far different from the outdated Free Shoes U stuff and let the students, and faculty vote on them / its time for a change anyway / and remember to change the Tomahawk Chop to the (insert song suggestion here) as I am sure this is also a FUS original tune, or did they steal it from the Atlanta Braves? / I could go on about this but i wont waste my time / just remember GO Noles
Jean
March 22nd, 2011
6:36 pm
So how come Salem HS can’t come up with a unique symbol, etc. of their own? Why steal everything from FSU? Come on. Let’s get creative. FSU is within their legal right to protect their trademark. GO NOLES.
jason
March 22nd, 2011
7:20 pm
It’s not that the high school is taking money from Florida State, but Florida State owns the copyright on the word, logo, etc, and by law they must police the use that word, logo, etc or they will lose their copyright.
It’s simple really. If you have a registered trademark it is up to YOU to protect it, or lose it, then you lose control over your brand!
chris
March 23rd, 2011
7:21 am
go noles