This post, “Logo Design Rights – Do You Have Them?” is a follow-up post to tip #12 in our article, “101 Graphic Design Tips for Business Success”. Please be sure to see that list if you haven’t seen it already.

12. Rights for your logo design work

When creating your online portfolio, one of the key areas of focus should be on your logo design. Make sure you have permission to display logos you’ve created for clients on your website. This will help your online portfolio grow. Most of the time people are happy to display their business name somewhere else, but you never know…

Technically, you have produced the work but you do not own the product. You have entered into a contract with your client. Goods and services exchanged for money and rights to any creative you have produced for them. There will be many occasions where your contract can end as soon as the logo is created. The logo then will become the property of the client.

Trademark registration of logo designs

If your client is really vested in their logo they will register the logo as a trademark thus claiming rights to the graphical representation of the logo as a whole. This is a deterrent for discouraging others from registering with similar marks.

Companies will go to great lengths to protect their marks especially if they are in a highly competitive market. It’s their claim to ownership, legal jurisdiction, and may be as wide ranging as foreign goods, etc.

Get written permission for use of logo designs

Keep this all in mind when you are showcasing your work. First, get written permission, the green light from the client, to use the logo. Show them a mock-up of how it will be displayed and give the company credit or even a link to their company website. Second, make sure that the logo image is protected either by a watermark or a no right-click script. This will keep others from downloading the image for other purposes. If you have a slideshow set up in Flash, this should make it difficult to download as well.

Utilizing these precautions will ensure that you maintain a good relationship with your client that can be mutually beneficial. Most companies will appreciate any cross-pollination they might receive from your site and vice-versa. This also will show a display of good faith and your continued interest in the future of your work and the intellectual property of your client.

Thank you for reading this graphic design tip about logo design rights. Please be sure to subscribe to our blog using the social links below to stay up to date with our posts.

All the best,

ThePerfectDesign.com Team