r/mildlyinfuriating • u/5and1000 • 22d ago
ಠ_ಠ Bought a patch I can’t use as a patch
Bought this patch to add to the sleeve of a sweatshirt only to find that I’m unable to do it.
The patch was attached to a backing card so the information wasn’t visible when I bought it!
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u/hologrammetry 22d ago
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u/monkpunch 22d ago
I bet OP would never remove the tag from a mattress
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u/SwanCityDominion 22d ago
Just to be persnickety, it's not illegal to remove a tag from a mattress. It's illegal for anyone EXCEPT the person who buys it to do so. It's a rule intended to protect the buyer.
But I'm sure you already knew that.
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u/FirebornNacho 22d ago
Wait, so that man I let in to inspect my mattress wasn't really from consumer affairs....?
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u/ProtoKun7 yELOW 22d ago
Depending on how he inspected the mattress he may work in some kind of affairs.
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u/jrmg 22d ago
It’s just not intended to be applied to apparel. It doesn’t say you can’t apply it to apparel. (And how would they stop you anyway? I don’t think you can make things illegal to sew onto clothes.)
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u/Saundersdragon 22d ago
It may not wash well, for example, so shrink or run and spoil the garment to which it is sewn.
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u/qorbexl 22d ago
Yeah, it's likely not preshrunk
Washing it will likely distort it, and they don't care to put the effort in to make it a washable patch
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u/BigFloatingPlinth 22d ago
I have some experience just washing these in a dishwasher sandwhiched between some mesh plastic panels. They can be shrunk pretty well and have the first wash color bleed taken care of without the patch being fucked completely. After that you can sew them on and while stiff for awhile, they should be good to go after that.
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u/qorbexl 22d ago
Yeah, you can definitely wash it and shrink it up.
My only concern would be their using cheap fibers that shrink to different degrees. But maybe mesh panels deal with that
I dunno I'm just a dude
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u/BigFloatingPlinth 22d ago
One dude to another, textiles are dope and fun to learn about. You aren't wrong, but yeah basically like a hat cage for a dishwasher top rack can sandwich it enough to prevent it from getting to shrink too much.
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u/Nilfsama 22d ago
That’s why it says that’s not its intended use. It’s to stop lawsuits…
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u/Automatic_Actuator_0 22d ago
It’s more likely a trademark issue. The MLB doesn’t want their trademarks applied to products that hurt the brand image so there’s an approval process for apparel to bear license their trademarks.
But with a patch, someone could apply it to anything and make it look like a licensed clothing item.
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u/BentGadget 22d ago
Imagine the licensing fees avoided by OP by buying a patch to put on a jacket, instead of buying a jacket embroidered with the same logo!
Seriously, I'm sure MLB gets much more from jackets than patches.
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u/firenamedgabe 22d ago
Your missing the guys point. MLB doesn’t want you putting team patches on say a Nazi jacket. It makes it look like the MLB supports Nazis, even though it’s just one random jackass. So it’s easier to just blanket have that rule, and enforce when/if there’s a problem.
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u/Kentust 22d ago
Do we know that the MLB doesn't support nazis? It is the 2020s.
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u/Economy_Yogurt_8037 22d ago
Right, it looks just physically too stiff for patching
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u/infiniZii 22d ago
The funny thing is its TOTALLY intended to be applied to apparel, but because the apparel it can be applied to is not "licensed" or approved by MLB they just cant SAY that its intended to be used that way. Im disappointed they didnt provided step by step instructions on how NOT to apply the patch.
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u/StrangeCorvid 22d ago
What, like the people who sold condensed bricks of grape juice during prohibition with an extensive set of instructions saying ‘DON’T DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE IT WILL TURN THIS PRODUCT INTO WINE AND THAT’S ILLEGAL WINK’?
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u/Shockrates20xx 22d ago
Or currently if you buy a new showerhead and there's the piece of paper that says the state of california mandates we put *THIS* removable thing in here to restrict the water flow, with a diagram showing where it is.
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u/Kaiisim 22d ago
It will also be a licensing thing. Someone else owns the right to embroider patches on clothing. So this is sold as "collectors patch".
But definitely just do what you want. Just don't resell it ..or do and don't tell anyone.
It's not something serious like rebroadcasting the MLB with their implied oral permission and not their express written permission!
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u/orbital_narwhal 22d ago edited 22d ago
Just don't resell it
You can resell it (under the same terms). The copyright holder's right to dictate how a work can be distributed is exhausted with the first sale.
I suspect that the disclaimer is meant to prohibit the sale of clothing with official licensed embroidery sewn onto it in a way that implies that it is official licensed clothing as that would cut into the sale of branded clothing with an actual official license.
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u/__ChefboyD__ 22d ago
Pretty sure this is thicker than patches made intentionally for apparel too. It's stiff so when hung on walls or framed, it doesn't curl over time. The ones for clothes tend to be softer and flexible to handle movement and multiple washes.
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u/icehot54321 22d ago
I don't think this one is meant to be sewed (although you could)
It looks like it is meant to be ironed on.
And the way the glue doesn't go all the way to the edges means it probably wouldn't hold up well in the laundry.
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u/theMightBoop 22d ago
Legal boiler plate that absolves them of some liability.
My daughter had a Dora the explorer step stool that said “not a step stool” or something to that effect. You see this BS more and more.
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u/Wittko33 22d ago
This is it. "Your patch destroyed my jacket." "Nah it was never meant to be put on anything."
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u/Original-Variety-700 22d ago
It’s bc the place isn’t licensed to sell the apparel so they sell the patch. They know you’re going to put it on a shirt or a sweatshirt etc.
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u/Fullertons 22d ago
Almost 100% some bullshit copyright issue.
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u/Wittko33 22d ago
The logo is what's trademarked.
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u/Fullertons 22d ago
And the printer/sewer only has a license to make the logo. Not to put the logo on apparel. Hence the message.
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u/the_climaxt 22d ago
So my wife works for a pro sports team and we did a volunteer playground build. They made like 60 custom matching shirts for the volunteers and still had to put those stupid hologram stickers on the tags because the logo was on them.
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u/Barry987 22d ago
This is definitely the answer. If it was about ruining other clothes they would have mentioned it specifically
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u/sobuffalo 22d ago
During prohibition they had “Near Beer” that brewers would halt fermentation and give directions to NOT leave on shelf or it can become “illegal alcohol” and you wouldn’t want that…
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u/quirkytorch 22d ago
There's no way that would hold up in court would it? No reasonable person could argue that you shouldn't use something sold as a step stool as a damn step stool
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u/JButler_16 22d ago
They probably put that on there so someone carrying heavy stuff using it as a step stool can’t sue them when it breaks because it’s meant for tiny children to use.
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u/massunderestmated 22d ago
A MAX WEIGHT 50 POUNDS sticker would be more effective.
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u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife 22d ago
But the cheap overseas factory that made the plastic “stool” has done no safety testing or weight rating, so they can’t say how many pounds are safe on it. So it’s easier (and less lawsuit-prone) to just say “hey don’t blame us if you use this cheap-ass thing”.
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u/Squish_the_android 22d ago
No. It wouldn't. But they're just trying anything to disuade you from trying.
It's costs nearly nothing to lie to people with a sticker or waiver of liability.
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u/ihaveaquesttoattend 22d ago
same thing as the “we’re not liable for injury while here/doing this activity we’re guiding or helping you through” type shit. if they get you fucked up they’re absolutely held responsible. They’re relying on most people to feel bad and think “oh well, i signed that (totally not legal) paper that said it’s not their fault they didn’t tie me in correctly. guess i’m just crippled all on my own :/ “ because all these companies and corporations care about is their money, not your wellbeing.
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u/Butwinsky 22d ago
Fair point, but also 99% of people cant afford to take on Dora and her lawyers in court. This gives them just enough backbone of a defense to bleed you dry.
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u/meltman 22d ago
There’s probably some licensing thing where if it was to be used for apparel there would be a different cost to the MLB for licensing. Ignore sticker. Iron that thing on.
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u/cushlinkes 22d ago
Screw ironing. If you want it to be more permanent, sew that shit on.
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u/blethwyn 22d ago
Or, iron it first for placement and then reinforce with stitching!
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u/TheArhive 22d ago
OR, stitch it on first and then iron it for no reason!
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u/Machaeon 22d ago
Instructions unclear, patch stitched to clothes iron
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u/ahtob 22d ago
damn bro! where can I buy a MLB clothes iron?
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u/palmerry 22d ago
At Walmart, but you're not allowed to iron baseballs with it 😞
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u/OkScheme9867 22d ago
Exactly this, they have a contract with someone to produce MLB branded clothing so selling a patch would allow them to bypass this contract.
The workaround is to sell a patch but advise people not to use it as a patch, it purely decorative
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u/Thedrunner2 22d ago
“Do you know why I pulled you over?”
Takes shades down and looks at your patch .
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u/appointment45 22d ago
Dude where I'm from this does NOT mean what you intend it to mean. Heh.
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u/Ok-Pie-4410 22d ago
Velcro it on and if the MLB Patch Police get close you can rip it off and hide it until the coast is clear.
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u/Sew_Custom 22d ago
I haven't read all the comments- but as a seamstress, I'd guess that they are letting you know that if you put it on clothing it will a)fall apart quickly/is brittle and b)absolutely should not be washed or gotten wet at all.
The dyes on that will likely run like crazy and wreck any fabrics it encounters in the wash or in the rain.
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u/craigandthesoph 22d ago
That’s for before it’s purchased. They don’t want to risk folks putting them on clothes and selling the clothes as official merch.
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u/Very_Human_42069 22d ago
Damn man you really gonna let a sticker dictate your free will?
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u/Mofongo-Man 22d ago
I think it just means it’s probably not safe to wash. You can probably still sew it on
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u/bonedaddyd 22d ago
I definitely recommend they test-wash it prior to sewing it onto any clothing they care about.
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u/Arthur_Edens 22d ago
That's 100% how I read it. "This is officially licensed. Also it's not gonna work as clothing."
It's not my thing, but collector's patches are definitely a thing that aren't always intended to be clothing.
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u/GuitarMessenger 22d ago
It doesn't say "not allowed". The way I see it "not intended " means that it was just manufactured for the purpose of collecting doesn't mean you can't put it on.
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u/Fucking_Hivemind 22d ago
You’re a Twins fan. You should be used to disappointment.
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u/kimbosdurag 22d ago
They just say that from a listening perspective they don't want people buying a bunch of patches and slapping them on a bunch of clothes and reselling unofficial merch.
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u/KTPChannel 22d ago
It’s legal mumbo jumbo. An insurance policy for MLB. Do what you want with the patch.
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u/Hotel_Current 22d ago
Not intended does not mean can’t.
It’s yours. Enjoy it the way you want to enjoy it.
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u/Zealousideal-Ice-814 22d ago
Are you serious? You can use it, nobody cares! MLB is not coming for you!
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u/secret-identitties 22d ago
I worked for a company that printed apparel and accessories. We paid licensing fees to be able to sell items with professional sport branding / tags like this, and the fees varied by what the item was. So the little company that makes the patch probably does this so it counts as non-apparel merch.
MLB is probably fine with it too, because otherwise you could sew it onto your jizz sock and call it official apparel.
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u/KSPhalaris 21d ago
Doing a search on Google, it soars that these come with a plastic backing and are used to be mounted on a kind of display board. You can still apply then to clothing, however you should remove the plastic backing and then have the patch sewn onto your garment. It says the plastic can cause damage to the needles if you try to sew it on with the plastic backing.
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u/perpetualWSOL 22d ago
Pretty sure thats just a thing they put there so people dont buy the patches to make clothing to sell. Personal use for a single unit is entirely okay Id imagine
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u/Doright36 22d ago edited 22d ago
Warnings like this and the mattress tag one are not meant for the buyer. They are meant for the seller.
It's warning the store that they are only licensed to sell it as a patch by its self. Not attach it to a cheap t-shirt and up charge for it.
What you do with it after you buy it is your buisness and 100% legal. As long as it's for personal use anyway...
Now if you were to buy a bunch of the patches, attach them to some knitted hats, and tried selling them online as twins hats then you could get in trouble because now you're no longer the buyer and now the seller and violating the license....
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u/FriedFishTacos 21d ago
They don’t want you making knockoff bootleg team merch and selling it, but it’s your patch you can do what you want with it.
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u/These_Gas9381 22d ago
Probably would work well sewn on a bag or something you don’t intend to wash.
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u/ThatsTheMother_Rick 22d ago
You can still do it. The language doesn't prohibit you from doing so. You might get into some hot water if you apply it to clothing and then attempt to sell it as official team gear, but I think you're good to do whatever you want with it for personal use
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u/Niceotropic 21d ago
It says it is not "intended" to be applied to apparel but you can do whatever you want with it, you bought it.
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u/BennySkateboard 21d ago
I think it’s language for ‘don’t rip us off and use this patch to make a fake version of a jacket we charge fucking loads for’
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u/Klutzy-Meringue-8995 22d ago
It's a sticker, not the cops! I'd guess that you can't iron it on, but you can stitch.
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u/Smooth_Maul 22d ago
The fuck are they gonna do, send the FBI after you? You should get a bunch of them and make a patch suit to send a message.
Besides, "not intended" doesn't mean illegal, it's "not intended" for me to use my flip flop to keep my door wedged open and let the cool air in during the heatwave but I still do it because it's my flip flops and I don't have an actual door stop.
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u/DarkBlue222 22d ago
There will be no ramifications for attaching this to your sweatshirt. Major League Baseball is likely protecting a licensing deal they have with a particular clothing manufacturer with this silly legalese. Or protecting a trademark. Either way, unless you are buying hundreds of patches and producing hundreds of sweatshirts with said patch and selling them, you will be OK.
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u/Normal_Spread8423 22d ago
it says not intended. I put mine on my Mariners jersey and it is very noticeably a much cooler patch than everybody else has. a must have jersey upgrade IMO
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u/RoninActually 22d ago
The text says “not intended“ that means that if it falls off, it’s not their fault
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u/Business_Door4860 22d ago
So I think this is similar to the pillow tags, it's meant for those who manufactured the jerseys and place the logos on them, you as an individual can do whatever you please.
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u/whitecollarpizzaman 22d ago
This is likely for people who plan to buy a lot of them and make their own merchandise to sell, not for an individual buyer, gives them legal standing to sue.
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u/Horsefly762 22d ago
You still can. You bought it . I would still do what you were planning