27 replies to this topic

[AdamBilsy]

I'm thinking of making some glass and ceramic coasters with various mini designs engraved into them, does anyone know where would I stand with regards to BWM and their copyright of the mini design? Is it ok aslong as I use my own designs/drawings and not a copy of one of their actual designs? There are loads of people producing other work like Cushions/T-shirts/Clothes ect. using their own mini designs, so am I to assume it is ok?

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The shape, badges and various names are all trademarked, best people to talk to about licensing of these is BMH http://www.bmh-ltd.c...marks-useof.htm

[Miniature]

Not sure about the copyright situation, but I would porobably buy some of your coasters if you did make them

Miniature.

[pikey7]

so am I to assume it is ok?

Hell no. BMW shut down a lot of one-man bands making simple things a year or 2 ago. It's part of the reason there is so much bad blood between Classic owners/lovers and ze Geermans.

As Si says above, contact BMH. You will get turned down flat though, or asked for a completely disproportionate amount of money.

[Bean]

What if you were to argue that the drawing is a drawing of the profile of your own car?

My car was made & thus the profile existed prior to the BMW take-over?

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What if you were to argue that the drawing is a drawing of the profile of your own car?

My car was made & thus the profile existed prior to the BMW take-over?

Could you afford the court case and litigation with BMW to argue it is the bigger question? Would tie you up for years!

[pikey7]

You could personalized every one so they have that persons registration on them

[AdamBilsy]

What if you were to argue that the drawing is a drawing of the profile of your own car?

My car was made & thus the profile existed prior to the BMW take-over?

Could you afford the court case and litigation with BMW to argue it is the bigger question? Would tie you up for years!

Did you need to get permision from BMW to use the 'mini with heart shaped headlights' image on your stuff?

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PM sent

[AdamBilsy]

So the general concensus is that even tho its my own design I cant do it without having to pay BMW a big sum of money?

[WRLondon]

looks like mini spares will be supplying these soon then haha!

[Scallywag630]

Isn't it just the mini logo that is trademarked? BMW can't stop anyone using the word mini or a picture of a privately owned car.

[R1mini]

Has BMW have anything to do with the classic mini? Is BMH ltd owned by BMW I didn't think they were I thought it was completely seperate

David

[AdamBilsy]

Isn't it just the mini logo that is trademarked? BMW can't stop anyone using the word mini or a picture of a privately owned car.

Apparently they can.

[AdamBilsy]

Has BMW have anything to do with the classic mini? Is BMH ltd owned by BMW I didn't think they were I thought it was completely seperate

David

I contacted BMH earlier and they are no longer responsible for licensing the 'Mini' brand. It is now administered by Performance Brands, on behalf of BMW