National Football League - Baltimore Ravens

Court Declines to Consider Ravens' Logo Case

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court passed up a chance Monday to settle a multimillion-dollar dispute between an artist and the NFL over a logo for the Baltimore Ravens.

Frederick Bouchat had sued and won a jury decision, claiming the NFL stole his idea for a logo for the Ravens. But at a follow-up trial two years ago, jurors said he was not entitled to a share of the team's profits from logo merchandise. He had sought $10 million.

Bouchat's lawyer had contended the verdict against him provides "powerful and savvy market entities with a license to steal." Justices declined without comment to consider the case.

Bouchat, a security guard and amateur artist, had drawn the design of a bird and shield in 1995, before the expansion team's name or logo were chosen. The Ravens' initial logo featured outspread raven wings flanking a shield bearing the letter "B."

The attorney for the Ravens and the NFL said the logo did not boost sales of merchandise.

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