Designer
Frederick Bouchat
Year
1996
Client
The Baltimore Ravens (Art Modell, owner of the team)
When Art Modell, the original owner of the Ravens, was bringing a football team to Baltimore, he asked designers to come up with a logo to be used. Amateur artist and security guard Frederick Bouchat of Baltimore submitted the team his logo design, hoping for a letter of recognition as well as an autographed team helmet in return. But when the team showed off their logo in 1996, not only wasn’t he mentioned as the designer, but the logo also slightly differed from Bouchat’s design. Shortly after the release of the logo, Bouchat would sue the Baltimore Ravens for copyright infringement asking for $10 million in damages for the usage of his design.
In the year 1998, a court ruled that the Ravens stole Bouchat’s design and would have to compensate the artist for damages done, though they stated that the team could still use the logo for historical purposes. Not only did the Ravens never pay Bouchat for the usage of his design, but they also still use his design for apparel, events, and in sports games, though in 1999 they would switch over to their modern-day logo. Frederick’s design was used by the Baltimore Ravens from 1996-1998, and still has never been paid by the football team for wrongfully using his logo for their team. Since 1998, Frederick has continued to try and sue the Ravens for wrongful usage of his design, as well as never being paid by the team, though all attempts have been rejected by courts.
Sources Cited
“Associated Press Sports. (2010, September 3). Baltimore Ravens Lose Court appeal in copyright dispute over “stolen” logo they used after franchise move from Cleveland. cleveland. https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2010/09/baltimore_ravens_lose_court_ap.html Francis, J. (2012, July 10).
Logo creator sues Baltimore Ravens again, for continued use of his logo. SportsLogos.Net News. https://news.sportslogos.net/2012/07/10/logo-creator-sues-baltimore-ravens-again-for-continued-use-of-his-logo/football/ Glickman, L., & Goldberg, J. (2015, January 15).
Latest in the Frederick Bouchat and Baltimore Ravens Logo Saga. LawInSports. https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/item/latest-in-the-frederick-bouchat-and-baltimore-ravens-logo-saga Logos-World. (2023, June 12).
Baltimore Ravens logo. The most famous brands and company logos in the world. https://logos-world.net/baltimore-ravens-logo/ Rovell, D. (21AD).
Supreme Court’s Pass is Ravens’ Loss On Logo Appeal. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nfl/s/2001/0521/1202578.html “
