You da man Chris.... I have to ask after reading most all your posts...Are you an engineer or a lawyer, or both?

A little of both, a degree in neither. I employ engineers and to keep up and be BS-proof, I've had to learn all I can about the field. It helps to have been born in a machine shop and race car fab co. I had a business partner for about 8 years that was an exceptionally well-accomplished attorney. I learned tons from him, plus (unfortunately) have had the opportunity to spend plenty of $$ on legal representation over the years. When I'm spending my hard earned $$, I like to know exactly what's going on.

One other consideration...

There's no such thing as the Intellectual Property Police. All a patent or trademark does is assign ownership rights. If someone infringes on them, it's the holders responsibility to secure them. USPTO has no enforcement department. In essence, the holder would have the entire burden of locating, investigating and litigating any claim. Then they would have to collect on any judgment they might receive. The worst possible scenario anyone could expect is to get a cease & desist from the holder's counsel.

I'm not suggesting that calling Cigarette would be a bad idea. They're good people and probably would have no problem with someone (an owner of their product) courteous enough to inquire before commissioning a piece of artwork- something they don't even offer themselves. But remember, there's scant difference between having one of these lights made and having a logo airbrushed onto the side of your boat.

Lastly, the core issue is individual vs. commercial use. You're not making these for profit.

Thanks


Im building a new house and will incorperate a few pics of my previous Cigs along with my new neon sign in the new bar

I spoke to Cigarette today and I am unable to make these signs. Anytime I use there logo and sell them to the public someone is making a profit. Therefore I cant get permission from the company to produce these signs. However they are getting bids from a few different sign shops including myself and will hopefully have these for sale on there website for everyone interested.Although the price may change there's not much I can do about that.Cigarette is a world leading performance boat company that just doesnt want there logo disrespected. Sometimes you'll see older cigarettes that have had the interior redone and it just doesnt look right and at the end of the day it makes cigarette look bad. So in all respect the right thing to do is wait for cigarette to get these made and hopefully i'll win the bid so everyone is satisfied with the product as it will look like the one in dougs bar.

What a bunch of sh*t!

way to go skip.....


thats why you just do it and ask later....

I can't believe that I now agree with you!

Its easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. That sux! I want one as well but not for 2 grand.

They are bull$hitting you.

If this were true, no one would be allowed to paint Cig logos on boats.