The legality of making replica team jerseys?

[regan_ev]

Having once applied for and been granted my own registered trademark for an old business I used to have, I can categorically say that RTMs (that little ®) are a massive legal minefield and there are specialist lawyers in that field alone.
Now, if the RTM is only applicable to a particular category then there's nothing legally to stop you using an exact copy of whatever RTM you like in a totally different product class or category. Now, finding out what categories the relevant RTMs apply to is a simple enough process of you care to delve through the IPO archives (available online) so that you would know for sure whether the RTM you want to copy has been granted to cover its use on the jersey (e.g. If the mark applies only to bicycles or bicycle components in any relevant class or category then using that mark on any item of clothing is totally legit). But, as said, it's a legal minefield even for genuine rip-offs in the same classes or categories and lawyers, if instructed, would have a hard enough job battling such a case, even if the respective RTM owner were bothered to pursue litigation for an infringement or use of their mark without express permission.

Bottom line: just do it. (Pun intended - as Just Do It is an RTM of NIKE, but it probably doesn't cover its use in the context in which I've just typed it )

Now let the floodgates for orders of replica jerseys open...

 

[walleater]

Don't copy Specialized though!

 

[Chapeau! Velo]

Re:

I know the law. You are safe, just don't reproduce on a commercial basis and try and represent as a genuine item that is licenced by the copyright owner.

 

[ultrazenith]

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[gil_m]

Re:

assuming you were going to do this...

first hurdle is generating an artwork suitable for sublimation printing, working to a garment template suitable to your slightly "increased" size

second, finding a company prepared to do a single sublimation print and then stitch it up for you

I've no idea what your budget is and I'm not that familiar with the shirt design, but being realistic about this you might be better just keeping your eye on ebay for a larger size top

don't get me wrong, not wanting to put you off but I think is a little more involved than you think

 

[drystonepaul]

Re:

As Gil says, aside from the potential copyright issues, the cost of a decent 'one-off' jersey is usually the deal breaker.

To have a single short sleeve jersey made up with a custom design you would be looking at at least £200. The main cost incurred is for setting up the design for the die sublimation print process.
After that, item prices reduce based on economies of scale.
If however you are prepared to get say 20 items made up in the same design, then it starts to become a bit more economically sensible, but at the same time even more expensive.
If you did this and sold on the surplus to recoup some costs then you probably would get in trouble if you were using a registered trade mark without permission.

I've looked into it for my own business using original artwork, and very small numbers of garments are very expensive per item. I was originally looking at 2 or 3 items.
A slightly larger order makes more sense. To get 5 short sleeve jerseys, 5 long sleeve jerseys, 5 gilets and 2 windproof shell layers all in the same design, I was quoted about £750. This worked out at about £44 per item.

(I was looking at Owayo.co.uk by the way)

 

[PaintedDesert]

Re: Re:

(I was looking at Owayo.co.uk by the way)

I've used Owayo for 5 sets for our company cycling team. We paid 40 euro for a shirt and 55 for shorts. We did stay within the proposed design tempates, so full custom may be more expensive.
Quality is rather good. The chamois is pretty thin, but for non-epic rides it's good enough..