Frugal Corner has ISLE OF SKYE!!!!!

[ChromeScholar]

This is how I see it. No doubt someone from this forum has already started the ball rolling as far as finding out if the fabric being used for the kilts is properly licensed. That being said, FC should know whether or not they are buying from a licensed source, but the responsibility for the licensing lies not on their shoulders but on the weaver's. Until they (FC) are told that it isn't licensed (assuming it isn't, and none of us know that right now), It's an ethical question, not a legal question.

The question is this: If FC sees that they can get Isle of Skye from their normal sources, do they have any real responsibility to find out if the fabric is licensed? I think we'd all agree that they have a responsibility to stop carrying it if they find out it isn't licensed, but what about ahead of the fact?

[Colin]

The question is this: If FC sees that they can get Isle of Skye from their normal sources, do they have any real responsibility to find out if the fabric is licensed? I think we'd all agree that they have a responsibility to stop carrying it if they find out it isn't licensed, but what about ahead of the fact?

The answer to your question is yes. If you know there are limitations on a tartan and that it is restricted than it is also the company's responsibilty to do some research to make sure that the source they buy their product from is following laws and licensing restrictions. It's the social responsibility of companies to know where their products are made and if there is any licensing issues as they are commisioning the products. Most people here know IOS and Irish National are restricted so it shouldn't be hard to find out.

We are seeing the perfect example in Vancouver right now with the 2010 Olympic Games. I can buy a bunch of t-shirts that say Vancouver 2010 from a manufacturer if that is what I tell them to make up, but if I try and sell them to the public I will have the Vancouver Olympic Committee on my **** in seconds. They have even shut down places like Olympiuc Pizza (which was open for a long time before we even bid) as the Olympic logo and name are trademarked. It's sometimes hard to go after the firms (in this case a weaver) that make up the product, but it is fairly easy to go after people selling the product.

After all, if there is an issue with copyright and such the weaver that owns the rights to IOS won't be going after just the weaver, but they will likely also be going after FC. For a company that has already had issues for using pictures that belonged to other kiltmakers on their site (to their credit FC remedied that issue very quickly), I would hope they have done some extensive research.

FC may have the authorization to carry this tartan. No one has confirmed that yet, but I am sure we will find out soon. If they do, than good for them for offering a tartan that many people have expressed interest in. I am sure it will sell very well.

That's just my opinion of course and as a Mod, I am apparently not allowed to have a personal opinion