Bitcoin Forum

I’ve tweeted @bitcoin for permission to use their bitcoin logo on a t-shirt. Waiting on a reply. If perhaps it was missed or something. Is there any other way to request permission from bitcoin.org?

Can anyone just use the logo of Bitcoin without copyright infringement? As far as I know this can already be in the Creative Commons category but if you can get that special permission then much better. Or you can also modify a little and add something to the logo to make it on your own. The whole Bitcoin community will be happy to see many people using the logo to be emblazoned on any product as this can be like a free advertising for the coin. Since Bitcoin do not have an organized and centralized marketing department with a multimillion budget, mentions and uses of the logo on different products or events can be helping a lot in promoting its name and popularization of the very idea which Bitcoin is standing for.

This was their response via email about the shirt.
Option A:
To move forward with your order, we need written permission from the company who owns the protected material. Here is a reference to reach out to obtain permission:

https://bitcoin.org/en/

If you have permission to use the  image, please submit it to us at service@customink.com. If you happen to have a vector version of the artwork, please send that on to us as well.

as far as I know, many products have used the bitcoin logo without permission from bitcoin.org. I didn't know that the bitcoin logo was copyrighted for something commercial. Some of my friends who produce shirts, cups and hangers have used the bitcoin logo without asking permission. But I applaud you because you value art work by asking permission.

salute  ;)

I will just tweak it a little if I were you. I have done various kinds of t-shirts, I am running a small t-shirt made to order business and there are people who orders different kinds of t-shirt that their designs are actually copied on different companies. Nevertheless I haven's still heard that one of them are being sued. Bitcoin was for the mass, means for the majority of us, only the people that are against that you have to take care of, and not the ones who supports.

I am quite surprised to see that the printing company is asking for written permission to use bitcoin logo. Bitcoin logo actually comes under creative commons license and no one owns them! This matter was also discussed earlier as well. See the thread below,

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2664830.0

You can also get some information from the below article,

https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2018/11/18/are-cryptocurrency-logos-protected-by-copyright/amp/

As far as I know anyone could use the logo as fair use because or maybe no one own bitcoin in my opinion and besides there are already a lot of bitcoins logo in the internet and a lot of people is using it as a assets so I don't think they are going to sue you if you are just a small business or a small creator maybe if you are a big company. Also, you could see a lot of bitcoin shirts on the internet and we know that they just photoshop it you could create your own version of the bitcoin logo and easily called it fair use. But salute to you if you're asking for permission that's a great start following the guidelines.

by the way the @bitcoin twitter handle has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is just someone who created that name on that platform earlier than others and the account has changed hands. the last owner was even bashing bitcoin and used to advertise an altcoin!

Who would sue you for using bitcoin logo, the inventor is anonymous and therefore we are free to use that logo anytime we want.
I've seen a lot of people using bitcoin logo in their social media handles but they are still using it until now, so that means there is nothing to worry.

using bitcoin logo can even help spread awareness to the people as long as you use it in good purpose.

if we want to use bitcoi logos on clothing or make banners with bitcoin logos, I don't think we should ask for permission on twitter @bitcoin or other similar sites because bitcoin is not protected by copyright and bitcoin is unknown, now we see a lot of people using bitcoin-themed clothes to become trendy and attract some people to know bitcoin.

It is great that you've ask first the management or the community before you used the logo of bitcoin in order for you to avoid copyright infringement just wait for further reply of the management before you used it.

It would be glad to know that some people are using bitcoin into a logo on t-shirt because if the T-shirt was done and many people buy and wore it then it would be a great strategies to attract people to go on the field of the cryptocurrency in order for them to know what cryptocurrency is and why many people are investing on it.  

Maybe inform us if the T-shirt that you've doing is done and maybe our community will try to buy those T-shirt that you are designing.

Asking for permission is a good thing because there is a copyright, but for the bitcoin logo I think it doesn't matter to use the bitcoin logo on clothes because I see that many have used the bitcoin logo but there is no regulation at all, so I think you are free to use which bitcoin logo too.

Even if the Bitcoin logo was indeed copyrighted, would you need permission if its only for personal use? I think if you are only going to wear this t-shirt and not sell it for a profit then I don't think you need the permission from the author.

Like the above poster has mentioned. The @Bitcoin twitter is not actually promoting Bitcoin but Bitcoin Cash instead. It was bought out by Roger Ver. The logos there might be the BCH logos which might be copyrighted instead of the BTC which shouldn't.

I've seen people wear these T-shirts everywhere pretty much and I am pretty sure they aren't infringing copyright, its actually good because it promotes cryptocurrencies and a good conversation starter.


EDIT: Did some research after this thread and it turns out that its illegal to print anything that is copyrighted even if its for personal use. Never knew this. However I am pretty sure the BTC logo is not copyrighted.

There is no Copyright on the Bitcoin logo, it is in the public domain like the source code is Open Source for the Bitcoin protocol. This is exactly what Craig Wright and Roger Ver wants to do with Bitcoin, getting patents on things that they do not own.

An ownership for a domain with a Bitcoin name, does not give you the copy rights to everything that are Bitcoin related. People should realize that this is an experiment and technology that are free to use for everyone and no single person has the right to own any component, apart from the real Satoshi Nakamoto and he has not claimed ownership, only the fake Satoshi's tried to.  >:(

The OP might be trolling to make a point.

OP, you're not required to ask permission to use the logo, or the name. In fact, any cryprocurrency can use the logo and call their coin "Bitcoin", like anyone can pick up a piece of shit from the ground and call it a "diamond".

There's already a lot of people using bitcoin's logo without asking permission. I think that's fine, much better with permission but since you're using the logo for bitcoin to promote it and don't have any purpose of stealing the logo, and it's just a small business I guess there would be no problem at all. It's like you're just going to sell unofficial merch.

A lot of people claiming to be the owner of bitcoin already, but there's no much issue about it so you don't have to worry about using the logo.

I think this one too.

Not sure what that point could be, but I wager that if the tshirt printing company didn't even realise Bitcoin wasn't copyrighted (don't get me started on the people who did obtain the trademarking for it in the UK!), then maybe this idea of awareness and adoption really hasn't got to the point we'd like. Mainstream awareness doesn't necessarily mean mainstream understanding.

Not only can anyone call something *cough cash* Bitcoin, some people even call Bitcoin by other names *cough core*.

this is not always necessarily true.
you can use the "name" bitcoin in your product without any issues but when it comes to a "logo" things are different. logos are designed by designers and it is their intellectual property so they own the copyright for it. you can only use it IF they allow you. since the orange bitcoin logo was placed in public domain and for free use, he can do it. otherwise there may be another bitcoin logo design by someone else that is not "free to use".

There is no need to ask for permission to use the Bitcoin logo. Just use it and spread the word. I think it was Satoshi Nakamoto himself, who invented the BTC with two vertical bars.

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bitcoin_symbol

if you have to ask permission for copyright using the bitcoin logo, I guess it takes a long time for you, but that doesn't mean I ask you to copy or steal copyrights, but so far I often attend bitcoin community meetings, I see them using T-shirts with the bitcoin logo or other altcoin and they don't seem to ask permission first

Unless you want to rob a BANK and want to use a t-shirt with the Bitcoin logo, I think that you are violating copyright

Bitcoin is freedom its free to use for all and its logo is included of course, no one owns it. Unless you are using a custom bitcoin logo from a certain company.  I found so many bitcoin t-shirt online I dont think they bother to get a permission first from bitcoin org.
Just start printing and spread bitcoin good job ;D

The fundamentals of Bitcoin is decentralised and transparency and I think this includes the Bitcoin logo, it's a logo that promotes a decentralised currency and I think this pretty much means freedom to the people, you do not need to ask for permission to use the logo for a t-shirt because everyone is welcome to use it.

The fact that you want to make a t-shirt with it shows that you are a huge fan and you probably own some bitcoin and I think this grants you the right to use the logo if you want because you are part of the Ecosystem, so dont worry about any lawsuits because you would probably be doing Bitcoin a favour with free publicity while you wear the t-shirt. I think I would make one too.

Maybe he is in marketing the whole world in which production will be in bulk unlike your friends that they just printing it for themselves therefore OP want to be sure that there will be no problem that will occur in the future but i think there is no need for permission as using the logo will help to promote and advertise Bitcoin for free.

Are you really a Bitcoin fan? Because if you know the basic fundamentals of Bitcoin, you would know that asking for permission to use the logo is like saying that Bitcoin isn't decentralised, it's almost like saying that Bitcoin works lie banks with a centralised body.. Bitcoin is me and you, we own it and we have a say in it and that includes the use of the logo, anybody can use it especially when it's for a noble cause.

It's already been answered that you are free to use bitcoin logo without any worry of being sued for its patent and copyright. If you'll go search for bitcoin t-shirts on different e-commerce sites.

You will see a bunch of them selling and do you think that they've asked permission for it?

OP should have known that from the start. But for me, it's a good thing that he is still waiting for permission to know if it is okay to use the logo, I think he is only thinking about the consequences if he uses it without permission.

Well, OP should have realized that. He can use it without permission to print on his T-shirt.

Does anyone have the rights to this logo?

The copyright can be claimed by a person or a company if they have confirmed their copyright.My name is Vladimir. That name is also called 10 million people. Which of us has violated copyright?If tomorrow someone calls his dog Vladimir I can’t say anything against it, because I don’t own the copyright.Bitcoin, according to the ,,legend,, also has no author-so do what you want, without permission.

the OP is just making sure that bitcoin logo isn't copyrighted and to make sure problems wouldn't arise if someone suddenly claims that bitcoin logo is copyrighted by them.
you made it sounds like the OP made a mistake by asking if he needs permission to use the bitcoin logo. there is nothing wrong with what he asked and that doesn't define if
someone is a fan of bitcoin or not.

NO! we don't own it. just because it is decentralized and anyone can use it it doesn't mean we own it.

As far as I know the BTC logo can be freely used for commercial and non-commercial purpose.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bitcoin_logo.svg

Not unless you change, or altered it, then it could be subject for copyright infringement.

And for Bitcoin's Logo history, you can read one interesting story here and I'm sure majority of you haven't heard of it,
Mt. Gox to Sell Bitcoin Trademark, But Could a Buyer Enforce It? (https://www.coindesk.com/mt-gox-sell-bitcoin-trademark-buyer-enforce)

Exactly, no one owns Bitcoin because it is decentralize. I've seen a lot of merchandise that has Bitcoin logo printed on it and I've never seen or hear any complaint upon using the logo. I like how OP thinks regards with copyright system, he still concerned to the person or organization who owns the particular logo, perhaps is how folk in the market thinks unlike other people who uses someones trademark for their own good.

But if the person who designs the logo didn't recognize it as their original, then you can still use it. There are people who want their art to be used even without asking for permission. For example, there is a bitcoin logo like this: https://i.imgur.com/DBXwElj.jpg
wherein you can freely use in your designs, but other bitcoin logos such as those personally edited should be properly cited and you need permission to use it. My advice is for you to try to use photo editing software to somehow create your own logo on your own design.

To be perfectly honest, it did not even cross my mind that one would have to get permission for using the BTC logo. I never did use it, but if I did, I don't expect I would have thought of that. Good job, though.

Thank you guys for all the information. The reason the logo is copy written, is due to me grabbing a logo off of google images. The Image apparently falls back to Bitcoin.org/en. It's not that they believe the bitcoin logo is patented or anything. It's the particular design of the logo.

I don’t think you need permission to create a merchant with a Bitcoin print.

There's a thread here that it is in Creative Commons 

There is no need to ask permission to print Bitcoin Logo, but if you are going to use a modified version that was copyrighted then you have to ask permission from the creator of that design, so many companies and individuals have used and are now using the official logo

I'm not sure if you can freely use Bitcoin logo. Though it would be very strange for me if the logo hasn't copyright protection, in the first place because of possibile missuse. I know many even don't pay attention to that issues, just use the logo if they want to but somehow that doesn't seem right to me.

I think you may do it, since it can be like an advertisement for bitcoin to the social media, but I think wait for them to reply on you, or do some innovation to the design so that you would not plagiarized the whole design, many people are using it now, you are too honest to get their approval first for you own advantage, kudos to you bro! I hope they will let you to use that logo.

I couldn't find it in English, but in spanish the wiki say you don't need permission to use the bitcoin logo:

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Bitcoin_logo.svg

There it says the image isn't eligible to have copy right. So, feel free to use the image.

yes I also know that many clothes are made without asking permission from the source, I think if the OP asks for permission they do professional activities and need to be appreciated. I personally rarely find people who care about copyright and you really do the professional way

Yeah, but the steps taken by @OP are very good and we can imitate him, that we shouldn't take the logo carelessly without permission. Although the bitcoin logo is a free commercial logo, maybe @OP intends to put the name of the site bitcoin.org and its logo there so he tries to ask permission.

OK.

OP, you should tilt the "BTC" a little to the left, maybe to the right, or do it upside-down, and change the background color. 8)

How many are using the USD logo for different kind of garments, clothing and other items like wallets and even bling bling?

Have you ever ask that yourself?
Another question. Who owns bitcoin? I dont think there is a copyright for it.
No one own the bitcoin technology. It is made for the mass for privacy and freedom. That is why some government doesn't like it.
Better to just use it. Spread the word. Make people look at your creation and have them question what it is.
It will be a better world if that will be a success.

Permission? I don't remember anyone ever asking for permission to make use of the Bitcoin. I have seen a lot of people that are printing shirts, cup, and a lot more things with the bitcoin logo on it and they never asked permission to make use of it. It's still good that you asked for permission, just saying because I have never seen anyone done that.

You can still make some changes to the logo and then use it on your product or whatever it is that you want to print it on.

Yep, you're right because I have not seen anyone talking about asking for permission to use the Bitcoin logo. Unless it's a logo that belongs to a particular company, for example, an exchange, if it's just bitcoin, then I believe that anyone is free to use the logo.

well you don't need permission as far as I know the bitcoin symbol also existed before and is used by the Thai currency baht where there is only one line whereas bitcoin has two lines ,so the bitcoin logo has also been stated above that its public and can printed anywhere is good while introducing it to the outside world too

I agree with you. Salute to such people who still honor and adhere copyright laws.
I checked there site, unfortunately they don't have any contact us option the only way to contact them is via there Facebook and twitter account.

According to US law, anything you make is immediately copyrighted. In the past, it was necessary to use the © (Copyright) symbol, but its not the case anymore. This is the very reason Lawrence Lessig came with a legal way to "Opt out" of this and that is Creative Commons.

I'm not sure who and where the bitcoin logo was made. The Symbol made it to unicode in 2017, so its just like another letter: ₿ (BTC).

I don't think there is someone who originally owned the logo. If the logo has indeed an owner, it should be Satoshi Nakamoto and perhaps those individuals who participated in the discussions that came out with the current logo and no one else, not especially some twitter account owner, not even the people communicating from bitcoin.org. If they responded and acted as if they owned the logo, they are acting as CSW's disciples.

Also, the logo of Bitcoin is no more complex than its ticker. BTC is just like $, ₱, £, ¥, ฿, €, etc as symbols of currencies. And as such, they are all free to use. 

Every one can use bitcoin logo without need permission from the other, we don't know who real of own bitcoin logo have ready open to public now. I think there are never have copyright when you use bitcoin logo for your t-shirt or using bitcoin logo for your companies, maybe is the way how to promote bitcoin for many investor by using bitcoin logo on a t-shirt.

Bitcoin is open source and you are welcome to do with it as you want. Nobody represents bitcoin, nobody gets to define it and nobody gets to control the narrative. Even Satoshi is anonymous and he never registering a trademark. so the Bitcoin community believes that the term BITCOIN alone should not be the intellectual property of any individual or entity. it is a generic term like dollar or euro. furthermore, many cryptocurrency symbols are either in the public domain or are under an open license that allows free use. Each project is different, though, and some are more corporate and potentially retain rights to the logo. So it’s worth checking, but it’s hard to imagine anyone not giving permission.

i think you should Locked this Thread mate since all the information you need has been sent by prominent accounts in this forum so there's nothing to add more,or else this will become a spam megathread.anyway good luck to your business.