What Do You Think?

[audaz49]

Have you ever heard of an interest group deciding not to follow through on becoming a local chapter of a national org. but deciding to just "use their letters"(and half of their other information)? How would you feel if it happened to your org.? What do you think your national org. would do to fix the situation?

[Taualumna]

Ummm, that's not legal. Most, if not all international GLOs have registered their letters.

[APhi Diva]

Actually (unless my recollection of copyright law is way off), you can't copyright a combination of 2 or 3 letters, so there's nothing to stop another group from using the same letters, other than good manners if someone tells them that another group uses those letters. Crests or other identifying insignia involving more "creativity" are another story....

[Rudey]

I think your energy would be better served if you concentrate on your own sorority, volunteering, school, work, etc.

-Rudey

[Tom Earp]

Originally posted by Rudey
I think your energy would be better served if you concentrate on your own sorority, volunteering, school, work, etc.

-Rudey

So True Rudey.

audaz49, why would the National Organization want to fix what?

If they were refused, they would say By By! Then, try as a Local on a major Campi to exist.

[preciousjeni]

I disagree fellas...if it's an organization that has no connection to the organization in question, I'd just let them be. But, if it's an INTEREST GROUP that falls off and then wants to use the letters and other stuff, that's foul.

Nationals/Internationals should intervene in some way. However, I can't see the good in pursuing legal action.

[LatinaAlumna]

Eeewwww! I can't believe a group of people would do that! I have heard of this happening before, though.

I agree with Preciousjeni...it is foul! I don't know what recourse the national sorority would be able to take, though. Audaz49, I hope this did not happen to your sorority!

[TSteven]

Originally posted by APhi Diva
Actually (unless my recollection of copyright law is way off), you can't copyright a combination of 2 or 3 letters, so there's nothing to stop another group from using the same letters, other than good manners if someone tells them that another group uses those letters. Crests or other identifying insignia involving more "creativity" are another story....

I'm not sure what the difference is between copyright and trademark laws; however, I do know that many organizations - Sigma Chi and Phi Mu being two - have registered and trademarked all their marks. This includes all insignia, their name and the Greek letters.

Here is the thread on Trademarks.

[TSteven]

I'm surprised that the HQ would have given any official GLO related material to an interest group unless the group was a colony.

Depending on the by-laws or set up of the organization, I would think that most - if not all - of the materials given to the group would belong to the GLO and NOT the interest group/colony. If so, then HQ should go after them and get it back. And while I'm not an attorney, perhaps serve the group with a Cease and Desist order regarding use of their marks. Including their letters.

[AKA_Monet]

Don't "incorporation laws" protect some of the items from drastic change and misuse? Just asking...

And there are things that can be trademarked...

But I do know letters, in and of themselves cannot be trademarked.

[TSteven]

Trademark Notice of Phi Beta Kappa

The name "Phi Beta Kappa", the Greek letters "fbk", the Phi Beta Kappa Key, the newsletter name "The Key Reporter" and the Magazine name "The American Scholar" are all registered trademarks of The Phi Beta Kappa Society. All rights are cumulatively reserved regarding each and all of the rights of The Phi Beta Kappa Society and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

[AGDee]

Greek letters must be different than English alphabet letters when it comes to trademarking, because we definitely have the 3 greek letters of Alpha Gamma Delta trademarked (as I have them in my signature.. sorry, don't know how to do greek letters here). We don't have AGD trademarked. We have the name in greek, Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Gam trademarked though. Perhaps they see the Greek letters as symbols.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by AGDee
Greek letters must be different than English alphabet letters when it comes to trademarking, because we definitely have the 3 greek letters of Alpha Gamma Delta trademarked (as I have them in my signature.. sorry, don't know how to do greek letters here). We don't have AGD trademarked. We have the name in greek, Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Gam trademarked though. Perhaps they see the Greek letters as symbols.

I just thought of this as well. That the trademark is with respect to "Greek" letters.

Note: Both Sigma Chi (in English) and SC are trademarked by the Fraternity.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by AGDee
sorry, don't know how to do greek letters here

To get AGD try [ FONT=symbol ] AGD [ /FONT ] . But be sure to close the brackets.

[AGDee]

AGD

Thanks!