Post by TidewaterHC on May 4, 2007 8:08:36 GMT -5
Majority of Virginia Tech memorial merchandise is illegal
If you purchased any Hokie memorial merchandise since the tragic events at Virginia Tech, chances are it's unauthorized.
To date, Virginia Tech has only licensed one memorial T-shirt. They're being sold by the student group, Hokies United. All proceeds will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. The shirts went on sale yesterday, more than two weeks after the tragedy.
Why did it take so long? Virginia Tech realizes people want to buy memorial items. But the university first wanted to make sure the victims are honored appropriately. The other issue is that Virginia Tech has been working non-stop to shut down those who are wrongly trying to make a buck off this tragedy.
If you go on-line to sites like eBay, you'll find plenty of Hokie memorial merchandise. Virginia Tech says most of it is unauthorized and in many cases illegal. The university has had some success in getting eBay to remove the items, but it hasn't been easy.
"Unfortunately things keep popping up everyday. So even when we think we have a situation under control, it could be hours later, something else pops up," says Chris Clough, spokesperson for Virginia Tech.
Before anyone can sell something with the Virginia Tech name, logo, or mascot, the university must approve it. Virginia Tech says hundreds of companies have violated trademark infringement since the shootings.
"We have no idea where those moneys are going. They don't have any relationship and those moneys could be going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund or they could be just going into their pocket," says Clough.
Also, Virginia Tech does not want anything made with the date 4-16-07. "It's not something we want to see define this university. This university has a long history and has a bright future. While this is an important and historical mark, it's not something that is going to define this university," says Clough.
Many have purchased signs and other things that say "we will prevail." That is not copyrighted yet. Therefore, it's legal. But Virginia Tech says there is no guarantee proceeds from it will go to the Hokie Memorial Fund.
The university has had some success in finding illegal merchandise on-line, thanks to software that was actually developed by a Tech alum.
And as a side note, the university says the Hokie Memorial Fund is at $1.3 million so far. There is a lot more money that has been pledged but hasn't actually been sent in just yet.
from www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6468431
If you purchased any Hokie memorial merchandise since the tragic events at Virginia Tech, chances are it's unauthorized.
To date, Virginia Tech has only licensed one memorial T-shirt. They're being sold by the student group, Hokies United. All proceeds will go to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. The shirts went on sale yesterday, more than two weeks after the tragedy.
Why did it take so long? Virginia Tech realizes people want to buy memorial items. But the university first wanted to make sure the victims are honored appropriately. The other issue is that Virginia Tech has been working non-stop to shut down those who are wrongly trying to make a buck off this tragedy.
If you go on-line to sites like eBay, you'll find plenty of Hokie memorial merchandise. Virginia Tech says most of it is unauthorized and in many cases illegal. The university has had some success in getting eBay to remove the items, but it hasn't been easy.
"Unfortunately things keep popping up everyday. So even when we think we have a situation under control, it could be hours later, something else pops up," says Chris Clough, spokesperson for Virginia Tech.
Before anyone can sell something with the Virginia Tech name, logo, or mascot, the university must approve it. Virginia Tech says hundreds of companies have violated trademark infringement since the shootings.
"We have no idea where those moneys are going. They don't have any relationship and those moneys could be going to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund or they could be just going into their pocket," says Clough.
Also, Virginia Tech does not want anything made with the date 4-16-07. "It's not something we want to see define this university. This university has a long history and has a bright future. While this is an important and historical mark, it's not something that is going to define this university," says Clough.
Many have purchased signs and other things that say "we will prevail." That is not copyrighted yet. Therefore, it's legal. But Virginia Tech says there is no guarantee proceeds from it will go to the Hokie Memorial Fund.
The university has had some success in finding illegal merchandise on-line, thanks to software that was actually developed by a Tech alum.
And as a side note, the university says the Hokie Memorial Fund is at $1.3 million so far. There is a lot more money that has been pledged but hasn't actually been sent in just yet.
from www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6468431