Roughnecks logo removed from GoNecksGo.com website
In case you couldn’t tell, there have been a couple changes around GoNecksGo.com recently. These changes, at the moment, are mainly cosmetic and are meant as preventative measures against potential legal action. Before things get blown out of proportion, I want to make it clear that no lawyers are involved, I’ve just been given a “heads up” on the proper, or rather, improper use of the official Roughnecks logo on GoNecksGo.com.
When this site started in February 2006 it was built as a fan site for the Calgary Roughnecks. Over the past months the readership has been growing at a slow but steady rate. The two distinct worlds of fansite and official site came together yesterday when I received a phone call from Mitch, Director of Lacrosse Operations for the Calgary Roughnecks, regarding my usage of the official Roughnecks logo on this website.
Mitch called to let me know that in order to use the official Calgary Roughnecks logo I needed to seek both the permission of the NLL and the Roughnecks organization. When I asked who I could talk to about obtaining said permission, I was merely told that permission would not be granted by the Calgary Roughnecks. He also mentioned that there could possibly be fees involved and other barriers that would need to be crossed in order to obtain that permission.
In an effort to avoid all that trouble — and any possible legal action against me for the unsanctioned use of the Roughnecks logo — Mitch mentioned it would be easier for me to either remove the official logo or followed the example that wingszone.com is providing. A slight problem with the Wingszone.com example is that they are using the Philadelphia Wings actual logo. The only difference between the Wings and Roughnecks is that the Wings logo looks like a “W” whereas the Roughnecks logo is more of an image.
As a businessman I understand exactly where the Roughnecks are coming from. They need to protect their brand and I’ve created a site that could potentially confuse visitors that my site is officially supported or run by the Roughnecks organization, even though it isn’t.
In an effort to avoid any potential legal troubles I’ve removed the official Calgary Roughnecks logo from the top area of GoNecksGo.com. I’ve also added a disclaimer at the bottom of the site to let everyone know that this site is in no way officially supported or run by the Calgary Roughnecks organization, players, or the NLL. This site, GoNecksGo.com, is run by myself, Mike Stickel, in a completely unofficially capacity and I am in no way affiliated with the NLL or Calgary Roughnecks, other than being a fan.
That’s too bad Mike. You’d think that the NLL of all leagues would allow for their logos to be used for fan sites. They always claim to be the fan’s league but not in this regard for sure.
Written by Rids on December 14th, 2006
Yeah, it is. In a league that still can’t get a Television contract for the country the get a majority of their players from it would make sense to promote the teams, players and league in any way possible.
I don’t mind a compromise but the passive aggressive crap is annoying. When it originally happened I was pretty pissed but calmed down enough to write this article. Now, the more that I think about it, the more it pisses me off, again.
I appreciate the moral support Rids.
Written by Mike on December 14th, 2006