Introduction
In episode #2, @VintageWeightsPGH breaks down the difference between Standard vs. Olympic Plates, how trademarks created a shift in the lettering on weight plates, and more.
This episode can be found on Garage Gym Radio, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episode Outline
(0:17) Standard vs. Olympic Weight Plates: Standard plates have a 1-inch hole whereas Olympic plates have 2-inch holes.
(1:01) Olympic Plates don’t say Olympic. They say, Standard. This section serves as an introduction to the rest of the episode.
(1:57) Trademarks: The Olympics began enforcing their trademark in a very successful manner.
(2:45) Rule #7: The trademark stated that any Country competing in the Olympics could not use the “Olympic Properties.”
Below you’ll see the words they “own.”
(5:33) The American company licensed to use the term: Since York was the plates used within the Olympics, they were the one exception.
(6:00) How companies updated plates: Many companies ended up slightly changing the wording on their plates. For example, Billard went from “Billard Olympic” to “Billard Universal.”
(7:05) What do plates say today? You won’t find anything that uses the trademark phrases. Most companies are creating plates that simply use the brands name these days.
Sources
Betschen, Alex. “The Unique Law Governing Olympic Trademarks.” UB Law Sports & Entertainment Forum, University at Buffalo School of Law, 24 April 2019, https://ublawsportsforum.com/2019/04/24/the-unique-law-governing-olympic-trademarks/
Chappuis, Marianne. “The Olympic Properties.” WIPO Magazine, World Intellectual Property Organization, June 2012, https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/03/article_0003.html
Craig, Daniel A. “Bad Sports: Has Olympic Brand Protection Gone Too Far?” South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business, Volume 9, Issue 2, University of South Carolina School of Law, 2013
Dellinger, Jan (2022, July 27) Personal Communication [Facebook Messenger].
“U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Brand Usage Guidelines.” Team USA, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, https://www.teamusa.org/brand-usage-guidelines
“Weightlifting.” Olympics, International Olympic Committee, https://olympics.com/en/sports/weightlifting/
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Make sure to check out episode #1 if you missed it.
It is not true about York being the Olympic standard nor that they licensed the use of Olympic being the American company. Berg was used in the Olympics as the standard prior to York. York was allowed due to their design having the word Olympic prior to trademarks. You guys should interview some of the collectors from the Vintage Weights Group.