| Denise_DPhiE |
04-03-2006 01:16 PM |
Quote:
Originally posted by tallgreekalum
I agree that one should not just rip off an existing organization's symbols, colors etc, but I think that there are limits on what can be considered "property" of any one organization. For instance, green,black, gold and white have been the colors of AD since 1832. Should we object to every GLO that uses those colors? Other GLOs use the star and crescent. Should we sue say all the other "ADs" such as ADPi, ADGamma, etc? How about APhiD? In fact, ADPi used to be called AD PHI until some time late in the 19th cen or early 20th, as I can find ADPhi paraphenalia for sale that do not use our symbols or layout.
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If a local group has too many things in common with an existing wll known group (honorary, social, professional greek letter org) , it creates a conflict. No one is saying they can't use their letters and colors but when they also add in mascot, the anchor and others, it becomes too similar and the cease and desist letters go out.
About 10 years ago, a group at a University on Long Island was using greek letters of a national org. They had once held a charter for this group but national dropped them over 20 years prior or so. They were using the symbols, letters and the ritual of this national (or so their HQ told us). They got a cease and desist letter and it would not hold up in court (they tried!). So, the national approached them, colonized them, chartered them, allowed them exist and when they did not hold up the traditions again (minimum membership requirements, proper new member education etc), they were closed again and this time, the national took back their ritual equipment and told them if they go local, to use different letters. The NPC campus listing doesn't list locals so I don't know if they still exist or not but it was a big brew-ha-ha. (No, it was not DPhiE).
Denise
<<<<FYI:
Cambridge is spelled wrong in your profile to the left.
Denise |
