Replies

1. 
   Josefly | Oct 03, 2008 03:38am | #1

   I can't answer your question, but it would seem that if the logo is copyrighted, the rights would belong to the school, and if the school allows a commercial embroiderer to put the emblem on school uniforms, I would think they would be willing for home embroiderers to use it - of course not if you were doing it for profit. Ask to speak to the principal of the school.

2. 
   jjgg | Oct 03, 2008 07:07am | #2

   Is the emblem one that can be found in any clip art book? at my sons school they were the "Falcons". The same falcon that I found in clip art books, so no problem with me digitzing one (or buying one already done). If it is something special and unique, you may need to ask the principal for permission. If it's some type of private or specialty school, there may be some corporation that would have to give you permission.

   Who does the embroidery now?

3. 
   ThreadKoe | Oct 03, 2008 07:30am | #3

   I used to work for a commercial embroiderer. The deal works like this. The artwork or logo belongs to the school. You must get permission from the school to copy it in any fashion. That must come from the principal. The problem with embroidering your own logo is that when a company is hired to embroider logos for the school, they have a contract, usually for exclusive rights, to provide the embroidered logos for the school for a specified period. Even if you digitize it yourself, it may be considered pirating. It takes away the company's ability to earn money by embroidering the logo, and you may end up having to pay them the money anyway.
   What you can do, however, is personalize any item that they have embroidered.

   The grey area is non-uniform items the company DOES NOT provide. Then you can put it on whatever the school gives permission for. You must have permission from the principal for digitizing the logo, and permission for the items that bear the logo, because the logo represents the school. Cathy

1. 
   MarieCurie | Oct 03, 2008 10:39pm | #4

   Right now, I can get her uniforms embroidered at the local promotional items store, or via Land's End if I order her shirts and sweaters from their school uniform section.  Land's End does a great job with the embroidery, but costs a packet.  The local source doesn't do that great a job--I think I can do better.  I do not own a sewing business, so it's for my own personal use. 

   Sounds as if my next step is to talk to the Principal.

1. 
   ThreadKoe | Oct 04, 2008 05:12am | #5

   You may be able to get permission from the principal then. You often have more trouble when there is only one source for the embroidery. Good luck, Cathy