*** UPDATE ***

NB. Occupy London has just received the following from Evershed LLP on behalf of Transport for London. We would ask that people take note.

Dear Sirs

We wrote to you on 10 November regarding your use of the TfL Roundel as part of the logo for Occupy London.  TfL was appreciative that you quickly arranged for the design and use of a new logo (as seen, for example, on your Facebook page).  However, TfL has been coming across an increased use of the Roundel in association with Occupy London.  It may be that such use is inadvertent but TfL would be grateful if you would continue to ensure that there is no use of the Roundel (or any similar variation) in relation to the Occupy London campaign.

Yours faithfully

Eversheds LLP

—

Occupy London – Following Legal Threat from TfL; Crowdsources New Logo 

Following a legal threat from Transport for London’s lawyers, Eversheds LLP, on Thursday 10th November, Occupy London has changed the logo – very loosely based on the Transport for London roundel – that it had been using across its website and social media presence.

The move follows the threat of potential legal action from TfL’s lawyers, Eversheds LLP, when on Wednesday 9th November, Occupy London was requested by email to change its logo immediately or risk losing its facebook page – an essential means of communication for the occupation, which currently has over 30,000 supporters on the social network. [1]

Occupy London supporter James Hughes commented: “As a gesture of goodwill, Occupy London has acceded to TfL’s request. We appreciate that, in these straightened times, public bodies need to safeguard income. We trust that TfL managment will be as understanding of the needs of ordinary commuters who have been continually facing rises in their transport costs.”

The TfL logo, originally commissioned in 1903, has been used on London’s transportation systems since 1908, becoming synonymous with the city itself. [2]

Eversheds wrote in its email: “If we do not receive a response by noon tomorrow, TfL will liaise with Facebook in order to seek the removal of the version of the Roundel being used on that site (at facebook.com/occupylondon). Please note that once Facebook is on notice that you are infringing TfL’s rights, it may decide to take down your Facebook page in its entirety.”

Occupy London has said that it appreciates that TfL wishes to be seen as neutral and it has said that is “not looking to disrupt your campaign.” Occupy London hopes that TFL would put up defiant resistance to any kind of political interference, be it in relation to its campaign, or any other.

Occupy London crowdsources new logo
As such Occupy London has decided to crowdsource a new logo, which will be decided through a process of online direct democracy. Supporters are now invited to get involved and the following list of criteria for the new logo has been agreed:

• Originality: Needs to be original. Images based on existing corporate logos or any variations thereof cannot be used.
• Key messages: Needs to reflect what the Occupy movement stands for. Some key words that might help: Democracy, Equality, 99%, London, Global Movement, Occupy.
• Colours: We welcome any colour combination, but it should also look good in black and white, so that it can used on different coloured backgrounds.
• Neutrality: It cannot resemble the imagery of any political party or similar institution.
• File formats: Submissions are requested in two formats, as an esp. and as a high-resolution jpeg.

Submissions are welcome at logo4occupylondon@gmail.com. For further information on design or submissions, please visit http://occupylsx.org/?p=932.

Notes
[1] “Dear Sirs
We act for Transport for London (“TfL”) and we are writing in relation to your ongoing use of a version of TfL’s Red and Blue Roundel as part of the “Occupy London” campaign (“the Roundel”). This includes the use on your website at www./occupylondon.org.uk and on your Facebook page at facebook.com/occupylondon.
“TfL has already been in contact with you on 20 October and 28 October in an effort to resolve this matter amicably. Unfortunately, TfL has not had any response (or even an acknowledgement) to its requests so far and it is disappointed that you seem unwilling to deal with this issue in a sensible way. TfL is not looking to disrupt your campaign but it has legitimate concerns which need to be addressed in order to avoid the need for further action.
“In short, and as already explained, because of TfL’s rights in the Roundel and because it is a public funded and non-political body which cannot promote or endorse your campaign, you now need to cease using the Roundel and adopt a new logo.
“Please confirm by return that you will cease using the Roundel (or any similar variation) in relation to the Occupy London campaign including, without limitation, on your website and Facebook pages.
If we do not receive a response by noon tomorrow, TfL will liaise with Facebook in order to seek the removal of the version of the Roundel being used on that site (at facebook.com/occupylondon). Please note that once Facebook is on notice that you are infringing TfL’s rights, it may decide to take down your Facebook page in its entirety. We therefore suggest that you arrange for the relevant pages to be changed voluntarily and in order that this can be resolved amicably.
“Yours faithfully
“Eversheds LLP”
[2] The design has undergone a number of revamps over the years, but the version Occupy London took very loose influence from has been in regular use for at least 64 years, following the nationalisation of the London underground system in 1947. Harold Hutchinson, who was responsible for that particular refinement of the logo, did that work as the Publicity Director of a nationalised public corporation; a public servant paid out of the public purse.