Is it legal to use a logo from another website on my own homepage?
What are the possible consequences?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 04 Jun 2005 15:59 PDT

It would depend an awful lot on the situation, but as a general rule
of thumb, if you don't think you have permission to use the logo, you
probably can't without risking hearing from the lawyers that work at
the company that own the logo.

Let us know some more details, and perhaps we can provide some specifics.

pafalafa-ga

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Clarification of Question by payj-ga on 04 Jun 2005 17:16 PDT

The situation presented was about a teenage boy who created his own
web page and used a logo from a sporting goods store's site on his
page. The store sent a letter from their lawyer stating that he had
stolen the original design they had paid to have developed for their
store. They asked him to either: (1) remove the logo and pay $200 for
using it without permission, (2) continue using it, pay $500 and
request permission, or (3) continue using it if he made it a link to
their site from his webpage. Did they have a right to make these
requests? and Would it be different if he owned a bait shop and used
the logo on a site advertising his own business?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 04 Jun 2005 21:01 PDT

payj-ga,

As the disclaimer notes at the bottom of this page, Google Answers is
no substitute for professional legal advice.

Having said that, however, I must say I agree with the comment by
hobbes828-ga (also down below).  The logo belongs to someone else, and
they are within their rights to ask the boy to stop using it, or to
require conditions for its continued use.

They can also ask for damages.  

Sometimes, a note back to the aggrieved party apologizing for the
misue, and promising not to do it again is all that it takes to bring
the matter to an end.  However, they can file suit over this.  Whether
they would is an open question -- many businesses would be relucant to
sue over a small matter like this, especially with a teenager
involved.  The potential for negative publicity far outweighing any
possible financial gain.

It comes down to a judgement call.  

Please let us know if there has been any response from the lad to the
initial letter, and if so, what has happened since.

Thanks,

pafalafa-ga

They do have a right to make the boy either stop using it or put a
link to their site.  As for the money, I don't think there is a "stop
using it and pay us $200 law" but this could be like a settlement
because otherwise they do have the right to sue over it.  If it is on
a page for his own business or not makes no difference it is still
illegal, although I would guess that it would make the sporting goods
store more angry if it was used on a site which took away from their
business.