All-Star Varsity Uniforms, And Gyms The Copy Them

[AScheer]

Does Varsity actually have a copyright on the designs they put out? I would assume that as long as they didn't add a fake Varsity logo on it, there wouldn't be much that could be done.

They tried, and failed, because the designs did not actually contribute to the functionality of their uniforms. They legit tried to sue another uniform vendor (the name is escaping me right now) for having some of the same designs as them.

Sillsport? Varsity did sue them. I don't know what happened, but I know that the company went out during it. Their uniforms (every single one) were an exact copy down to the inch. The company was started or ran by an ex varsity employee if I remember correctly. The main part that I think got them in trouble is that for the first year or two they didn't have a catalog. They would hand out the varsity catalog and tell the customers they could make any uniform in it they wanted for cheaper.

 

[NerdMobile]

I fell in love with some bridesmaids dresses (years and years ago of course) in a catalog. I was in the US and my bridesmaids were in Australia, Hungary and the Phillippines. My only US one (who was actually from Germany) was living in Vegas at the time. She looked at the catalog, found the fabrics and made the shells of the dress based on measurements they mailed to her. When we all arrived in the same place for my wedding she fitted every dress to each girl (she even brought her sewing machine and serger on the plane) the day before the wedding. My one friend wore her gown again for a law school event a month later. We all offered to pay her for the materials and time, but she said that flashy fabrics in vegas were cheap and wanted nothing for the time. My custom knockoffs were awesome!

 

[sltAL]

Does Varsity actually have a copyright on the designs they put out? I would assume that as long as they didn't add a fake Varsity logo on it, there wouldn't be much that could be done.

I can't believe that they wouldn't. Especially since they control my travel plans, tell me which hotel I have to sleep in, decide if I can or can not video my own child, decide what I can put on my YouTube account, and all kinds of other fun decisions. I'm expecting to get the Varsity Mandatory Scrape to Play Pap Smear Provider notice any day now. And I'm sure there will be someone there to collect my Varsity Pap smear copay. Surely they wouldn't let me rip off one of their uniforms.

 

[Mndl]

Why couldn't someone copy a wedding dress from an ad or a catalogue? I mean, why the ban on cellphone photos? I would think you could get the details much better from an ad if you were choosing to copy a dress? I mean, good Gawd, it's been 20 years since I was a blushing bride but I remember those gigantic bridal magazines I used to read religiously and they were picture after picture of dresses....a Chinese workroom would have a field day. Do they not put ads for dresses in those mags any longer?
(Sorry off topic, but this ban on photos makes no sense to me...)

Someone could easily still copy a dress from an ad or catalogue, but unless you actually try on the dress it's hard to know how you will look in it. I'm sure you could still go to a store, try on the dresses and based on what you like have a knock off made. The stores just don't want to make it any easier for you by letting you take pictures.

 

[catlady]

If a person at Varsity did the design and detailing, then ethically, I feel the gym should purchase all of the uniforms from them. If the gym brought them the designs and had all the detailing worked out, then it doesn't matter. I don't know how Varsity pays their sales reps, nor do I know who does the majority of their design work but, often it is those that work on commission or bonus on their designs that lose out.

 

[Official OWECheer]

I can't believe that they wouldn't. Especially since they control my travel plans, tell me which hotel I have to sleep in, decide if I can or can not video my own child, decide what I can put on my YouTube account, and all kinds of other fun decisions. I'm expecting to get the Varsity Mandatory Scrape to Play Pap Smear Provider notice any day now. And I'm sure there will be someone there to collect my Varsity Pap smear copay. Surely they wouldn't let me rip off one of their uniforms.

LMAO!

Sillsport? Varsity did sue them. I don't know what happened, but I know that the company went out during it. Their uniforms (every single one) were an exact copy down to the inch. The company was started or ran by an ex varsity employee if I remember correctly. The main part that I think got them in trouble is that for the first year or two they didn't have a catalog. They would hand out the varsity catalog and tell the customers they could make any uniform in it they wanted for cheaper.

Wow. That makes them look kind of bootleg, IMO.

 

[AstridTumbles]

They tried, and failed, because the designs did not actually contribute to the functionality of their uniforms. They legit tried to sue another uniform vendor (the name is escaping me right now) for having some of the same designs as them.

Other way around my brother forwarded me that (hes a lawyer) Court says Y-E-S! to cheerleader uniform design copyrights| Reuters because they weren't functional they could be copyrighted 'cause they're creative not functional

 

[AstridTumbles]

Varsity doesn't have "rights" to a certain uniform design.

Yah they do. www.reuters.com/article/us-varsitybrands-cheerleaders-idUSKCN0QO26K20150819

 

[Eyes On The Prize]

Yah they do. www.reuters.com/article/us-varsitybrands-cheerleaders-idUSKCN0QO26K20150819

Alrighty I stand corrected.

Still doesn't change my opinion.

 

[Official OWECheer]

Yah they do. www.reuters.com/article/us-varsitybrands-cheerleaders-idUSKCN0QO26K20150819

But... chevron and stripes? I can see them suing if someone tried to copy MotionFLEX or Powerfit, but I can't see how chevron and stripes could possibly contribute to the functionality of a uniform.

And please with that super corny title...

 

[AstridTumbles]

But... chevron and stripes? I can see them suing if someone tried to copy MotionFLEX or Powerfit, but I can't see how chevron and stripes could possibly contribute to the functionality of a uniform.

Like I said it's the not contributing to the functionality of the uniform that makes them copyrightable. If its functional it can't be copyrighted. IDK the details yet I'm about twenty years away from law school (j/k) but that's what I understand. My bro says: "Functional means patent, and patents are hard to get (they have to be novel and non-obvious, and patent drafting is an art form). Non-functional and creative is copyright, which is pretty easy to get protected."

 

[Emma'sCheerMom]

I should mention, said gym signs a 4 year contract with varsity, in exchange for a lower price, they will only compete in varsity uniforms. The whole thing is super sketch

 

[Official OWECheer]

I should mention, said gym signs a 4 year contract with varsity, in exchange for a lower price, they will only compete in varsity uniforms. The whole thing is super sketch

So can Varsity sue them? They should.

 

[AstridTumbles]

So can Varsity sue them? They should.

Big Bro: "Unless you've read the contract there's no way to know. It may be that only individual teams are required to compete in Varsity uniforms, not every team at the gym. I'd guess they're probably in breach of the contract, but without knowing the precise terms of the agreement, I can't say for sure. Also: Not my circus."

 

[SL&AM]

Big Bro: "Unless you've read the contract there's no way to know. It may be that only individual teams are required to compete in Varsity uniforms, not every team at the gym. I'd guess they're probably in breach of the contract, but without knowing the precise terms of the agreement, I can't say for sure. Also: Not my circus."

Your brother sounds like a fun person to talk to.