I recent came across this company’s website.
http://blue-goblin.com/
and couldn’t help but notice it’s logo is strikingly similar to the one used by Pathfinder Online Goblinworks. By similar I mean that it looks just like it only colored blue. Clever.
They say they specialize in custom recycling. Hmmm I guess they really do.
I thought Paizo owned GW and associated logos. Etc.
If they were in some sort of gaming industry, there might be a trademark infringement case here. But I don't think anyone would mistake them for a gaming company.
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If they were in some sort of gaming industry, there might be a trademark infringement case here. But I don't think anyone would mistake them for a gaming company.
I believe that applies to verbal issues. In this case, it's an art asset that has been substantially reproduced. That's more on par with someone taking art of Mickey Mouse, changing the colours, and declaring it theirs. If it's Paizo's trade dress, it's Paizo's trade dress. This isn't the same as someone opening a "Paiso's Soup Emporium" or even "Paizo's Soup Emporium". It's trade dress where copyright applies.
Probably some intern threw together that web site and didn't do due diligence on attributing the source of a Google Images search for "goblin". It's likely not intentional, but infringement nonetheless. I'm not sure if this is one of those cases where Paizo has to issue a complaint to avoid losing their claim in general or if that's trademark law, not copyright law.
Hopefully they don't have the logo stamped on all their recycling bins and uniforms.
I still see it there today on the main page at the top. But I’m sure it will take a few days before they figure it out, find another one to copy and replace it.
Or they could strike a deal with Paizo and continue to use the logo.
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Wow, they even recycle logos. Quite the technological business model...
looks like its no longer on the main page, but is still on the 'contact us' page
That explains why I didn't see the issue -- I never saw the goblin picture until now. I only checked their main page, which didn't have the goblin picture at that time.