Euro 2012 websites and the UEFA trademark

[scwebsites]

A friend of mine who is football mad and very knowledgeable about the game, wants to write a blog about Euro 2012 before and during the tournament.

However the UEFA statement about their trademark makes it clear that one is not even allowed to use words "EURO 2012” on web sites, unless in a press release or unless a prior consent was obtained from UEFA.

http://www.poland2012.net/uefa-gadgets-domains-totally-worthless/

Surely it is not within their power to ban people from writing anything in the content of a website. Sure, my friend can't register a domain with their trademark in it, and he cannot use their logo on his site without permission, but surely having a trademark does not stop people from simply mentioning it in text!?

 

[Jamie101]

Wow that sounds stupid.

I'm not sure if they are allowed to do this, but if they are that's stupid. How can a company tell you not to even mention a few words :/

 

[Blossom]

I doubt they would (or even could) actually act on it. If you read Twitter's terms it says that you're not allowed to use an edited version of their bird logo (or fact any logo other than those listed on their page), and I'd find it harder to think of someone who hasn't adapted it at some point.

 

[tifosi]

Fair enough. Same trademarks on the olympics. Not big issues, they have to safeguard the investment.

However it being football reminds me of the football league copyright on the fixture lists. Not able to show the fixtures without permission/licence.

But general details about the stadiums (which are owned by the clubs), crowds, after-match stuff, info about the towns, regions etc.. all are factual data and not copyrightable. Exceptions to this include things like player stats generated using certain technology.

The key is factual non-specific data. And if you use a non-trademark / generic domain it's not an issue

 

[thadeas]

I doubt very much they can stop you writing in text Euro 2012, and if that is the case then both you and I have just breached the trademark. Im sure Amazon, Google, facebook, twitter and ebay have trademarks but everyone of there names is used on a daily basis and all manner of websites.

As long as you are not using logo's or data or images from them then I can't see how they can do anything about it especially if you are blogging about a game you have just watched either on tv or in person in the stadium.

 

[Jamie101]

I doubt very much they can stop you writing in text Euro 2012, and if that is the case then both you and I have just breached the trademark. Im sure Amazon, Google, facebook, twitter and ebay have trademarks but everyone of there names is used on a daily basis and all manner of websites.

As long as you are not using logo's or data or images from them then I can't see how they can do anything about it especially if you are blogging about a game you have just watched either on tv or in person in the stadium.

You'll be getting a letter to the door now!

 

[eurorealtor]

There is gonna be tons of website including Euro 2012 even in their domains, and I don't believe UEFA is gonna sue them all..... But still, it's a risky business, especially for hobby with no profit.