You can always copy someone else 's logo.

 

Spacex Logo

Here we have the Spacex logo. (Spacex is Elon Musk's rocket firm.) This is the firm that describes their rockets blowing up as "Rapid Unplanned Disassembly".  An original turn of phrase.

But I noticed a similarity between parts of the Spacex logo and parts of the Reebok logo.

Spacex logo (Detail)

The "X" of the logo looks rather similar to the graphic flourish that you find below the word "Reebok" in the Reebok logo.  

Reebok logo (Detail)

Reebok logo

Will most people notice these similarities? Probably not, but that does not mean that what seems to be copying is acceptable.

Weird typography. I wonder if this was planned?

2018 Rocky Mountain Element Carbon 70
Source: http://www.bikes.com/sites/default/files/models/Web_Element_C70_C1_Profile.jpg

Rocky Mountain makes lovely bicycles. Fast and tough. My Rocky Mountain Element bicycle is about 10 years old, and while it still works fine, technology has caught up with it. I am still running 26" wheels and the new 29" cross country bicycles are such a vast improvement. So, I'm contemplating a new bike for next year.

The other big change in cross country bikes is in the drivetrain. Bikes commonly had two or more chain rings up front, while newer bikes have only one. This bike uses the SRAM Stylo crankset.

SRAM Stylo logo
Source: https://www.sram.com/truvativ/family/stylo#sm.000177v3t5e4ve4fwkj12oy6iyofu

SRAM Stylo crankset on 2018 Rocky Mountain Element Carbon 70 bicycle (Detail)
Source:http://www.bikes.com/sites/default/files/models/Web_Element_C70_C1_Profile.jpg 

The odd thing that I noticed is that when the Stylo logo is upside down it spells out "GIRLS". 

Now there is nothing wrong with that. I've had my ego handed to me on a platter by fast women in every bicycle race I've ever entered. (I'm talking about you people like Sandra Walter! http://www.sandrawalter.ca) But a weird piece of typography none the less.

It looked a bit familiar

Alpine Aviation logo
(Source: http://www.alpineaviationyukon.com/)

I was doing so research for a presentation and came across this logo. I thought the logo looked familiar and went looking for the original.

Lowe Apline logo (Source: http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5498a579e4b08142c229ca5b/54997e2de4b03ff49a71c06e/54998230e4b04b06d4618f0c/1419346566135/Lowe-Alpine-LOGO.jpg)

It didn't take me long to remember where I'd seen a similar logo before. The circular border, the mountain profile, and the orange sky all look rather similar to the old Lowe Alpine logo.

The question is is this coincidence, influence, or copying?  Perhaps it is just the view out of a airplane window flying through the Yukon. Or is this sort of imagery so common and generic that anyone could have come up with the idea?

Now up to date

Video display at Douglas College, New Westminster, BC

Video display at Douglas College, New Westminster, BC (Detail)

A few days ago I commented on the fact that Douglas College was still used in the old Instagram logo on the video wall in the New Westminster campus. Well no more. The logo has finally been updated.

I asked my students if they noticed the logo change and I was a bit surprised that none of them had.

Who needs a logo?

Column with MAC name in multiple fonts, Hudson's Bay store, Vancouver, BC

Column with MAC name in multiple fonts, Hudson's Bay store, Vancouver, BC

Column with MAC name in multiple fonts, Hudson's Bay store, Vancouver, BC

Column with MAC name in multiple fonts, Hudson's Bay store, Vancouver, BC

For most brands the logo is sacrosanct. You don't mess around with the font or colour. There are usage guidelines for every conceivable use. Colour or black and white, print or online, CMYK or RGB.

But with this wrapped pillar MAC has turned those conventions on their head.

I wonder if this is a one off display of inconsistency, or if I will see this elsewhere?

Keeping up with change

The old and new Instagram logos
(Source: http://www.designbolts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Old-New-Gradient-Instagram-Logo-Design-2016-3.jpg)

Video display at Douglas College showing social media logos

Video display at Douglas College showing social media logos (Detail)

Instagram changed its logo two months ago. Not everyone was crazy about the change. (I do prefer the old logo that pays tribute to Polaroid cameras.)

But when a logo changes, pushing that change out to the community is a real challenge. Not every user will update their use of the logo promptly. And if the logo is used in printed material many users will wait until the existing stock of brochures etc. is use up before reprinting with the new logo.

There is less justification for delay when the logo is used electronically. (Unless you just prefer the old one.)

One of these things is just like the other

Shoulder patch on Canada Goose Jacket

Sleeve patch on "Canada weather gear" jacket, Vancouver, BC

Screen capture, fairweather.ca (January 27, 2016)

<sarcasm> I'm sure it is just my imagination. There couldn't be any real similarity between these two logos. And if there is I'm sure it is just a coincidence. It couldn't have anything to do with the outstanding success of Canada Goose garments and Fairweather wanting to tag on that success. </sarcasm>

If only sarcasm was a standard part of HTML then life would be so much easier.

Will we see another lawsuit from Canada Goose? Probably not. An obvious intent to trade on Canada Goose's good name, but likely not close enough to infringe on the trademark.

Whose logo is that?

Walkman Logo

Merkury logo from Dollarama computer speakers

Dollarama computer speakers

Is it just me, or are these two logos rather similar? I recognize that I'm probably more visually aware than the average person, but these two are rather close.

Will Sony do anything about it? A pair of $3 speakers is unlikely to be confused with a Sony product, and Sony's recently announced $2 billion USD loss is probably more top of mind. But the principle is important, if you don't defend your intellectual property you could very well lose it.

Of course it is.

The Odd Couple promotional card, Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver

Detail from The Odd Couple promotional card, Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver

Converse All Star Logo
Source: http://www.refinedguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/15-converse-all-star-chuck-taylor-logo.jpeg

The Arts Club Theatre is putting on The Odd Couple. A play, then a film, and television show, it tells the tale of two men who end up sharing an apartment.

One is a neat freak, the other somewhat of a slob. (Any guesses who is who based on the two shoes above.) I like the red star on the canvas shoe. Any student of brands would immediately recognize the Converse star.

Is that your logo?

Rolling Stove food truck Kelowna, April 21, 2013

I'm old enough to remember when the Rolling Stone's tongue logo adorned almost everything. (Ah, the 1970s.) And at one time I subscribed to Rolling Stone magazine. (Back in the late Hunter S. Thompson days.)

But now we are facing the year where both Mick and Keith turn 70. So, does anyone else recognize the logo and that fact that typography is a direct lift?

Should either The Rolling Stones or Rolling Stone magazine protest the use of their image? Well, it highly unlikely that they'll ever find out, but IP is IP. You either protect it or you lose it.

Hey, that's not your logo

Anniversary sign in the window of The Greatful Fed pub, Kelowna

I notice logos and typefaces. It may be the vicarious art school eduction I recevied via my wife, or the years I spent as an agent for illustrators and photographers, or perhaps all of my years teaching marketing.

But anyway, I was walking along Bernard Street in Kelwona and saw this sign. My first thought was that the pub was doing some promotion with Yahoo. Nope, they are just borrowing the logo to attract attention.

That's a bit naughty. And what benefit does it give to the pub?

Just a bit of amateur rebranding

TD Canada Trust branding inside a shopping complex elevator

I've banked with the TD (Toronto Dominion) Bankfor a long time. My mother used to bank with Canada Trust. (Their ATM machines were named "Johnnycash" and Mr. Cash did advertising for the firm.)

The two firms merged, well TD bought Canada Trust, and for now the branches are identified as TD Canada Trust.

Unless, of course, some vandal engages in a bit of amateur rebranding.

I wonder what would be worse; TD Canada  rust or TD Canada Truss? Either way, it does nothing to increase confidence. And if there is one thing that Canada banks tend to do well it is inspire confidence. They may be bastions of fiscal conservatism, but none of them has gone broke recently.