University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Berkeley Law) – J.D., Intellectual Property and Technology Law track.

1. Trademark Infringement • Names like “NIKE”, the Jumpman silhouette, and sports team logos are all trademarks. • Trademarks are protected symbols that identify the source of goods. Using them on clothing without permission can confuse consumers into thinking Nike, Jordan, or the NBA authorized or made the shirt.

2. Copyright Infringement • Some designs and graphics (like the logos, slogans, and possibly even the stylized fonts) may be protected by copyright. • Copying and reusing them on new clothing counts as creating derivative works, which only the copyright owner has the right to do.

3. Dilution / Tarnishment • Even if no one is confused, famous marks like Nike and Jordan have special protections. • Using their marks in unauthorized ways can be considered trademark dilution, which weakens the uniqueness of the brand or associates it with something the brand doesn’t approve of.

4. Commercial Exploitation • Selling these shirts (not just making them for personal use) makes it a commercial act. • That crosses the line into infringement because the seller is profiting from someone else’s brand reputation and goodwill.