Proud Hater what is that all about?

Being a Miami Heat fan from 1992 (when we were founded) I find this contest exciting. However, as a designer familiar with copyright and IP laws and issues (and having p!$$ed off Chuck Norris once by using his name as a keyword for one of my own shirt designs on Zazzle... true story! DON'T keyword the Ranger!!!), I do have one very important question that I really need to ask about this, not only to protect your designers but also you from some very potentially expensive lawsuits (don't worry, it ain't gonna be me, but when you get the attention of a corporation's lawyers -- especially at the international-athletics level -- well, not even God has the money to fight them successfully.)

My question is this, very simple. Does this design contest have the written expressed authorization of either the Miami Heat basketball team, the National Basketball League, their affiliates, owners, board of directors, managers, legal departments, and/or agencies involved in copyright, trademark, IP, and merchandising?

This may seem easy to get around if the answer is "no", however unless you plan to give away the shirts, towels or any other items with the graphic(s) on them (thereby avoiding the issue of infringement which is caused by taking as much as a single penny for any product, I recommend reviewing the U.S. Copyright and Trademark Office for more details), I absolutely cannot guarantee, suggest or even begin to hint at all that the release of these items will not be discovered by anyone involved with the Heat, either internally or externally as a fan particularly with the Heat's current visibility level.

Furthermore, to the best of my legal knowledge (and again, please consult the USPTO site) you CAN pay to have the design created, that is legal. But once you put that design on anything and try to market and/or sell it, you seriously legally and financially endanger not only yourself, but the designer as well (unless you have expressed written authorization by the Heat et al and/or a legally signed contract with the designer releasing him or her from all claims and damages caused by any legal issues). Let's just say it's usually bad enough that you'd be praying you were merely "wiped out".

Please let us know as soon as you can. And also, one last request on this if I may be so bold... in the event you plan to sell the products with the design(s) on them, if you say "yes, I have the authorization" or "yes, I will have the designer contracturally immune", pretty much any designer worth their salt is going to ask for a copy for their files and legal protection, so be prepared for it.

Alright. Go Heat! Let's Go For Four!

-Nick Moore
Project Asylum

hi I have submitted one design kindly let me know the feedback.

Thanks,
jaden

Hi Jaden,

My apologies, that response was for Nick Moore.

Hi,

It would be great if you could turn this into a guaranteed project - so that designers know you're serious about picking a winning design..

Thanks

Hello JD,

I would like to ask the advise of everyone submitting designs on finding a good site to promote the designs that will also handle the delivery.

Hi could you please submit feedback on my design? Thank you

Hello Custom King and other designers,