> lizard
>
> Brad Thompson wrote:
> >
> > I think the logo is great, but I think it might need a bit of a tweak.
> > There is an obvious similarity to the d20 logo (which I'm sure is
> > intentional) in the use of red on a white background in a black
> box. One of
> > the primary goals of Trademarks is to keep others from creating
> misleading
> > marks that build connections in a consumer's mind between two
> marks that are
> > not otherwise related.
> >
> But they ARE related. Any non-WOTC D20 product is almost certainly going
> to contain some Open Gaming material as well...isn't there a requirement
> in the preliminary license that the work derive in part from the D20
> SRD?
Of course they are, but that isn't the point. The d20 System Trademark is
the property of WotC, and only WotC has the right to use it or any mark that
is similar enough to it that consumers will associate that mark with the d20
System Trademark. It's black-letter trademark law, but only if the logos
are similar enough that they would cause confusion. I think the potential
exists, but I'm not a trademark lawyer. The way to steer clear of this is
to remove the similarity between the marks. The Die/box is great, and the
shape/size can be the same, but I think the red band in the same
color/texture of the d20 System trademark crosses some nebulous line. Of
course, it isn't my opinion that matters, it is WotC's.
-Brad
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