Legal Advice

I'm sure you're all looking forward to the Secondary Logo Tournament later today, but first I wanted to see if I could get a little help from the best readers in the blog universe.

I'm looking for some advice from a copyright lawyer or a lawyer who is familiar with copyright law. I had an idea for a really cool project that I'd like to look into but I want to first be sure I won't run into any copyright issues. It doesn't deal with this blog directly, but it is somewhat related.

I'd like to tell you guys about it because it will involve a lot of you and I think you'll really like it. I hate to be such a tease, but I want to make sure I've got all my ducks in a row first.

So, once again, I'm looking for a little advice from a copyright lawyer or someone very familiar with copyright and fair use law. Let me know if you or someone you know can help. I'd be forever indebted. Thanks!

Secondary Logo Tournament

For the first time in months, actually went an entire day without a single post. Sorry about that everyone, but I've been a little under the weather lately.

So to make it up to you, I'm kicking off the Secondary Logo Tournament today. Look for the first poll and the new bracket to be posted later this afternoon. In fact, you can get a sneak preview of that bracket right here.

As always, here's a brief explanation of the new bracket. The 18 logos being used in this tournament are the secondary logos featured on the shoulders of each team's uniform. If you have any questions about the logos featured, please don't hesitate to ask. Logos were placed in the bracket at random (thanks to Random.org). As you can see from the bracket, we'll begin with a preliminary round then move on from there.

As a side note, you'll notice that despite my request for a more accurate version of the Chicago Blackhawks logo (and thanks to all of you who responded), I never came across anything that was quite right. So I opted to go with the version that is used on team merchandise. I figure it's close enough and I really want to get this tournament started.

Hope you guys enjoy the tournament!

Talking Teal

Tonight's post is all about the San Jose Sharks. No reason in particular. We'll start out with one of my favorite new concept designs. Remember this? And remember how I said that black jersey was my favorite?

It looks even more spectacular on the ice. Seriously, who disagrees? Is that not what a hockey jersey is meant to look like?

I probably should've finished with that image because what could possibly follow it? These two are just designs I thought had interesting aspects to them — not the least of which being the crazy logo on the right which almost won it a spot in Friday's Freak Out post.

The white sweater is a recoloring of the Lightning's road jersey with an odd addition to the shoulders.

This set is really nice because of the striping. Yet for some reason, it makes me think of a spider more than a shark. Still, I do like it.

Lastly, there's this one which only warrants posting for its comical shark's-tooth zig zags around the waist.

Please don't eat me.

Philly Concept Designs

In going through hordes of concept art I have on my computer at the moment, it occurred to me that I have a ton of Philadelphia Flyers stuff. So I thought I'd dump it all here in one shot — while at the same time noting that the team itself seems to be back from the dumpster it had been rotting in all of last season.

I really don't know where to begin. But I figure you can't go wrong with a concept jersey that has blood on it.

What ever happened to colored nameplates? Sure they look horrible, but it always makes me think of the 1980 Olympic team. Love that collar blood.

This one is pretty sharp. Nice mix of black and orange. However, it's a design that makes me question how its white counterpart would be colored. Or is this a better third jersey? We all know how Flyers fans love their orange jerseys.

While we're on the topic, the striping pattern on this concept is similar to the uniform of more recent years.

While I like the black home jersey, I tend to lean more toward the orange because the logo stands out more. A primarily black logo on a black jersey just hides things.

Here's another orange one with the third jersey logo. Not sure how I feel about the numbering and lettering. Might look awkward with the silver outline.

Speaking of awkward, here's how you don't design a jersey.

It's like Ron couldn't decide which side of the fence to sit on? Orange or black? Instead, he's just got a fence post up his ass.

And this last concept is kind of cool except for the fact that it looks like a hooded sweatshirt to me. I'm not sure why, that's just all I see when I look at it.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Flyers fix for the day. I'll be back tomorrow with more. And yes, I am working on the next logo tournament. These things take time and I'm a busy television director in real life. (Ignore my nonsensical ramblings.) Patience.

Just To Freak You Out XVII

Welcome to the belated 17th installment of the Freak Out series. Time's been getting away from me the last few days so I apologize for the delay. Anyway, this week's art has a very specific theme. I asked for you guys to send me stuff of the "If They Mated" variety and some of you actually responded.

We'll start with a couple of logos I thought were "special."

If you're staring at that and just can't place it, look no further than the Ottawa Senators. You'll recognize his cap from the Columbus Blue Jackets' shoulder patch. That one just cracks me up every time I look at it. It's like the guy took the day off to go to a baseball game but he still can't seem to wipe that constipated look off his face.

The next one goes out to all my Connecticut readers.

It's a combination of the Hartford Whalers and Hartford Wolf Pack. And the more astute among you might notice the nod to the New England Whalers. That's three leagues covered in one logo. Impressive.

So going back to Ontario now, try to imagine what would happen if the Leafs and Sens (perish the very thought) were to swap uniforms and colors?

Don't send me hate mail. I'm illiterate anyway.

And now for a rivalry absolutely no one could care less about.

Personally, I'm disgusted by this but it does make me laugh a little. What's with the black tongue on the panther? Someone should tell him to stop chewing on his pen.

This here is more of a fusion of past Coyotes jerseys. We've got the old colors on the new uniform. How many of you like me would prefer to gouge out your own eyes before watching a team wear a jersey with two different color shoulder yokes? That's got to be breaking some sort of law.

Speaking of law-breaking, remember the scary Blackhawks logo I used to kick off last week's Freak Out post?

Somebody glued it on a jersey. D'oh!

And then I thought this was mildly amusing if nothing else.

But this is what happens when you guys stop sending in the really good stuff. Hope you enjoyed another week's worth of Freak Out art. Hopefully I'll be back with more on Friday. Enjoy what's left of your weekend!