A Sportkilt in my Personal Tartan?!

[Cygnus]

About a year ago I designed a tartan for myself and, after checking the databases of the Scottish Tartan Authority, The Scottish Register of Tartans, and the Scottish Tartans World Register to ensure that the pattern wasn't already in use, I finally registered it with the Scottish Register of Tartans a few months ago.

At the recommendation of another X-Marker, I was browsing the Sportkilt website when I found this. Apparently they've been making kilts in my tartan (or something incredibly close to it) for a little while, and I didn't even know it.

I am a bit worried that it could lead to contention, but for now I'll be glad that something very close to my tartan is available without having it custom woven.

[Mikewood]

You know, this is your registered family tartan that they have "stolen". Its really a point of honor and your only course of action seems to be to stand naked before the companies buisness office painted half blue and holding a two handed claymore and demand satisfaction. Shout something like "I am Cygnus McCygnus of the clan McCygnus and you have stolen my families tartan. Send forth your champion to do battle for the right to wear this plaid or I shall smite the Porsche 914 parked in The owners parking space."


But seriously glad you found one close. Wear it with pride.

[Chas]

I think you have to confront them, otherwise where will it stop? If we are generous, we could say that they have made a genuine mistake. But that is not to say that they should get away with it.

If it were me I would want, as a minimum, a whole range of kilts (plural, different weights and styles) and accessories in your tartan, made by them or their suppliers - free of all charges. Tie, waistcoat, flashes, fly-plaid and a day or laird's plaid should all be part of the deal.

Money, I think, is a minor consideration. Whereas having all the kilts you want for a lifetime is a real advantage.

Keep us informed.

Regards

Chas

[biblemonkey]

Wow, that is crazy close alright. I like the idea about painting yourself blue and the claymore. They have been doing this tartan for a while, though. Maybe you can make them aware that it is registered now. Yours is a darker and more majestic blue, however. I like it.

[castledangerous]

Well, I believe they were offering that tartan long before 6 June 2011

[Cygnus]

Thank you for the comments - I'm not really sure why I shared this... I suppose I just wanted to see how people reacted to the same tartan being designed independently.

The date of registration isn't the date it was designed, though I understand what you're saying, Castledangerous. If I had been aware of Sportkilt's "Big Blue" tartan, I probably would have changed my design a bit so they weren't so similar. That being said, I did check all of the major tartan indices before I started the registration process. I guess I'm mostly just surprised that Sportkilt didn't register any of their "sport" tartans in a Scottish tartan register.

Like I said before, I have registered the tartan and still intend to use it - though I do wish I had known about Sportkilt's tartan before I registered mine as I may have done things a bit differently.

[piperdbh]

It looks like theirs is the ancient form of yours.

[Cygnus]

It looks like theirs is the ancient form of yours.

Yep - the only noticeable difference is that the white line in theirs is a bit broader (though this slight difference wouldn't be enough for most registering bodies to consider them separate tartans).