Do You Need Permission to Use NFL Team Logo on Cakes for a Side Business?

As a side business baker, you might find yourself in a situation where a customer requests a cake with an NFL (National Football League) team logo. The question then arises: do you need to seek permission to make this cake? This article will explore the legalities involved and provide guidance on how to proceed.

Legal Considerations for Using NFL Team Logos

Technically, you would need to reach out to the NFL team to get permission to use their logo on your cake. If you are using the logo for personal use, the likelihood of the NFL taking issue with it is minimal. However, since the customer requested this specific request and you plan to charge for the service, it is crucial to ensure you comply with copyright and intellectual property laws.

Using the Logo for Personal Use

For personal use, such as creating a cake for a specific event without advertising or attempting to profit, the chances of legal action are low. This is especially true since the NFL is primarily concerned with large-scale commercial enterprises and not individuals who engage in casual use.

Charging for Logo Use

If you are charging for the use of the NFL logo on your cake, you must be transparent and clear about the costs. Charge only your costs for reproducing the logo and avoid profiteering. This way, you can demonstrate your intent to not exploit the intellectual property.

Here's how to handle the pricing:

Charge separately for the cake and for using the logo, ensuring you do not exceed your costs for the logo. Do not charge a premium for the logo alone unless you are legally licensed to do so.

Seeking Permission to Use NFL Team Logos

While you can use the logo for personal or small-scale commercial use, if you plan to sell the cakes or profit from their usage, you will need to seek permission. The NFL or the relevant team may have licensing agreements. A great place to start looking is Decopack, which may sell eatable images that have been licensed for use.

If you decide to buy a pack of licensed images from Decopack, you can charge your customer for the entire pack or just the specific images you are using. This way, you can profit from the purchased items without breaching any copyright laws.

Caution: Handling Other Popular Brand Logos

It's important to note that not all brands are as forgiving as the NFL. For instance, Disney has a reputation for aggressively pursuing individuals who use their copyrighted properties. It's crucial to ensure you use licensed items to avoid any legal trouble.

Here are some examples of safe practices:

Use Disney-approved molds for candy mouse ears. Create gummy mouse ears using Disney-licensed molds. Make big mouse ears with candy melts that contain candy, resembling an Edible pi?ata.

Conclusion

To summarize, while using NFL team logos for a one-off cake might seem straightforward, it's always best to consider the potential legal implications. By charged separately for the cake and the logo, and purchasing licensed images from reputable sources, you can protect yourself from any copyright infringement issues.

Remember, rest assured that the NFL is less likely to pursue a small, casual use of their logo. However, for larger-scale commercial activities, it's wise to seek permission and use licensed images to ensure you stay on the right side of the law.