Discussion:
What is the name of your state? New York
Hello- I am a nurse and I am beginning a home business of making "supportive" jewelry. By this I mean, using a pink ribbon (breast cancer awareness) as one of the items on a bracelet fur survivors of cancer****************************.since this pink ribbon is universally used as the sign for breast cancer awareness do I have to get someone's permission to use it in the creation of my jewelry? What if I buy some charm links that have little pink hearts on them to use as well- are these things somehow protected so that if I use them I can not call the jewelry I created mine? Is there any sort of protection I can get legally to protect my ideas about such "alternative" types of Jewelry? Can anyone suggest where I might learn more about this type of thing- meaning using general ideas (like charms already made with little hearts on them) for a product without doing something that might impinge on copyrights or patents? can I patent or copywrite my idea to create such type of jewelry-I will them mass produce them to sell**************...HELP!!!!!!!!!!!any suggestions appreciated.
Answer:
The internationally recognized symbol of the pink ribbon is very likely protected by trademark and your commercial use would require the owners permission.
From another site:
"The pink ribbon is the symbol for breast cancer awareness invented in 1991 by Evelyn H. Lauder, found & president of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Alexandra Penney, then-editor of Self Magazine. Lauder says, "The ribbon stands for awareness. And it stands for the sisterhood that will help women survive - and conquer- this disease."
Answer:
JETX- since you added the comment from another source, what is your take on if I can use the ribbon without getting someones permission? If you feel I should seek permission, how or where might I begin to find out whose permission I should seek? I am not looking for anyone to do this for me, I just need a starting point**************......any ideas?
Answer:
Not really. I just know that as a recognized symbol (and moreso for a charity), it would be unlikely in my opinion for it not to be protected by copyright and/or trademark.
In searching the trademark records, I found LOTS of registered trademarks for the pink ribbon. The search can be found at: