Appeals court rules against NFL and Baltimore Ravens in use of old team logo in game films

Appeals court rules against Ravens in logo dispute

RICHMOND, Va. — A federal appeals court has ruled against the Baltimore Ravens and the National Football league in a copyright dispute over the team’s original logo.

A divided three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled Thursday that the commercial use of the “Flying B” logo in old game films infringes on amateur artist Frederick Bouchat’s copyright.

The panel sent the case back to federal court in Baltimore to determine whether an injunction should be issued.

However, the court says the Ravens can use the logo in a team history display at their headquarters.

A jury ruled in 1998 that the Ravens stole the logo idea from Bouchat, but refused to award damages. The logo was used from 1996 through 1998.