FSC approved paper - YOU CAN'T CALL IT THAT!

[lfelton]

I had a rather curious email this morning from "FSC UK" requesting that we remove all reference to FSC and the Forest Stewardship Council from our web site. We make absolutely no claim to be FSC COC certified and neither do we use the FSC logo or any other branding or claim that any of our products are FSC certified. However, under paper description we do give all of the information given to us by the manufacturer and that includes whether the paper is FSC (or PEFC, or NAPM or whatever it is).

However, FSC UK claim the acronym FSC and the words "Forest Stewardship Council" are trademarks and that we may not use them AT ALL unless we pay them a sum of money to become FSC COC certified.

So, presumably this post and hundreds of others, plus hundreds of news articles are infringing their trademark? What are they going to do about it?

Needless to say, I think they are incorrect, but I am not a trademark lawyer so I will be complying with this request. The FSC COC proposal that is sitting on my desk at the moment will also be going into the trash bin!

What do you lot think of the FSC's position on this?

[meddington]

I don't know a lot about trademark law, and it seems heavy handed, but they might be within their rights. They apparently feel the use of the FSC acronym in the context presented on your website is an infringement, and could be misleading to others (that you or your products are certified). I'd see if there's a trademark forum out there to post this question, as it isn't really black and white.

We had so much trouble getting approval on a news blurb about our FSC certification for our website that we just dropped it entirely.

[oxburger]

If you're using FSC paper, you must be FSC certified from my understanding.

[Muddy]

If you're using FSC paper, you must be FSC certified from my understanding.

I am an FSC certified printer and my understanding is that anyone can use FSC paper but you just can't put the acronym on anything or refer to FSC certifed sheets unless you are certified.

You can't put the Coca Cola logo on anything without Cokes permission and this is much the same.

[meddington]

If you're using FSC paper, you must be FSC certified from my understanding.

Muddy is correct. You can use the paper without certification, but you can't use the FSC logo in any way, or make any claims of FSC certification...or apparently list the FSC acronym in the paper description on your website. :P

[SlaveToTheMan]

Yet another case of rampant greed, bureaucracy & general ignorance ruling the day. I love it!!

[Craig]

I wonder how many of us will get emails for using FSC on this forum??? FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC FSC!

[Ian Mackenzie]

I think it's very similar to other trademarked industry "things".

You cannot use the IDEAlliance G7 logo unless you are a G7 master printer and have paid your dues and paid the certification "fees". (Fogra, too.)

Vendors cannot call their proofing systems "SWOP Certified" unless they have paid the dues and done the work to do so.

Getting "Chain of Custody" to say that "you" are using FSC certified products takes about 8 weeks and $3,000.

Hey, the FSC wants revenue just like everyone else out there.

[Craig]

Muddy is correct. You can use the paper without certification, but you can't use the FSC logo in any way, or make any claims of FSC certification...or apparently list the FSC acronym in the paper description on your website. :P

Just to make it clear, your saying if I'm printing a job on Domtar Lynx, I can't tell my customer that the paper is FSC Certified... even though it clearly states that in all their literature and their labels????

[cosmo]

its not really the same as trying to use a coca cola logo, FSC is a process of making the paper not an actual brand. I cant see why they wouldnt let anyone say they use FSC paper, its promoting more of that type of paper. Crazy.