Reprints vs. Counterfeits - Is there a difference?

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

It's interesting, because several trading card companies in recent memory have ceased operations and their trademarks are counting down to expiration.

Those rights are stone solid.

Topps has bought the Bowman name and then used many vintage ideas which I would assume have been either bought or trademarked again such as t206 and turkey red. Panini has done the same with Donruss and Playoff who owned the Pacific brand. Upper Deck has owned Fleer for quite a while.

[SetBuilder]

Originally Posted by JustinD

Those rights are stone solid.

Topps has bought the Bowman name and then used many vintage ideas which I would assume have been either bought or trademarked again such as t206 and turkey red. Panini has done the same with Donruss and Playoff who owned the Pacific brand. Upper Deck has owned Fleer for quite a while.

Almost all the big names are taken, but there are still some fringe names out there from the 1980's and 90's. I think Leaf was revived recently (was previously a graveyard trademark).

T206 refers to the set name that was used in the American Card Catalog. The original company never referred to the cards that way. I don't think the cards ever had an actual name, other than the tobacco brands on the backs.

I suppose if you wanted to be historically precise, you would revive The American Tobacco Company or The American Lithographic Company. Both trademarks are dead.

[Dewey]

I buy reprints to go with photos used for cards. I wouldn't buy a counterfeit, even if cheaper, because intent matters. Happily reprints are cheap.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by SetBuilder

Almost all the big names are taken, but there are still some fringe names out there from the 1980's and 90's. I think Leaf was revived recently (was previously a graveyard trademark).

T206 refers to the set name that was used in the American Card Catalog. The original company never referred to the cards that way. I don't think the cards ever had an actual name, other than the tobacco brands on the backs.

I suppose if you wanted to be historically precise, you would revive The American Tobacco Company or The American Lithographic Company. Both trademarks are dead.

Brian Grey only acquired rights for the name Leaf, all images and design from the 80s-90s incarnation would be part of the acquisition of the donruss, pinnacle, and playoff properties by Panini. Gray's ability to use even passing reference to earlier properties has already been challenged in court. In 2013 he was sued for the Valiant inserts as they were too close to the prior Crusade inserts. The lawsuit was dropped after a settlement in which he dropped a claim to the rights for "Leaf Limited" as it was a little too close to the Panini Limited name for their liking.

As to t206, I understand the history quite clearly but as Topps issued several sets and inserts using the t206 name as the title during the last 10-12 years I am assuming they at least tried to lock it down to avoid competition.