Anyone who knows anything about motorcycle clubs knows you don't mess with a club's custom patch, also known as their "colors." So it's a wonder MTV's Rob Dyrdek was bold enough to "borrow" the flaming head logo from the Hells Angels for use in his Young & Restless line of clothing. The Hells Angels are obviously not taking this lying down; they've filed suit against Dyrdek for stealing the logo and MTV for airing images of it.
In their lawsuit the Hells Angels contend their logo is one of the most well recognized in the world. They accuse Dyrdek of doing irreparable harm to their name by using their logo on his clothes. Furthermore, associating it with the Young & Restless name simply furthers the stereotype frequently associated with the Hells Angels and other motorcycle clubs.
The lawsuit is not surprising given how protective motorcycle clubs are of their colors and images. They are so protective in fact, you can't even go to a patch retailer who sells stock patches and purchase a Hells Angels patch the same way you could an NFL patch. Like most motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels require you to earn the club patch through completing specific terms of service. Should you decide to leave the club, or you are dismissed, you must return the patch. You are also forbidden from displaying any other likeness of it in the future.
If you're part of a small motorcycle club or other organization that could benefit from your own custom club patches, they are available at retailers like The Cheap Place. Just submit your design in digital format and they will take care of the rest. Just be careful that you don't do what Dyrdek did; make sure your design is 100% original.
