Brand tattoos are some of the most noticeable images you can get on your body today. They’re instantly recognizable with a large group of people and are often synonymous with particular lifestyle philosophies, like Nike’s athletic-centric “Just Do It” or Harley’s love of the open road. Getting a brand tattoo is a great way to instantly let the world know your own particular life views and ideologies.
They’re a natural choice for people who are either highly sociable or otherwise looking to increase their social interactivity. A visible tattoo of your favorite brand is a great way to find people who have similar interests, either in the brand in particular or the industry it’s associated with. They work so well to bring people together that it’s entirely possible a brand tattoo could open relationships you otherwise never would’ve known existed.

Having a potential conversation starter isn’t the only reason to get a brand tattoo though. Many people often advise tattoo beginners to start with something meaningful, which is more often than not what many brand logos represent. A brand’s effectiveness hinges on its ability to evoke positive emotions and memories, which is why brands like Coke create so many advertisements about happiness and joy.

How Do Companies Feel About Brand Tattoos?

The fear of being sued is one of the most common reasons people shy away from getting a brand tattoo, but it’s incredibly unlikely to happen. Hell, you might even get paid for one!
There’ve been multiple cases of companies paying people to get a tattoo of their brand. Rapid Reality, a New York-based real estate firm, offered all 800 of its employees a 15% raise if they got the company’s logo tattooed on their body – and there were no size or location requirements.
That being said, it technically is possible for a company to sue someone with a brand tattoo for copyright infringement. This is why many brands stay quiet about their stance on tattoos. Most love the free publicity and wouldn’t want to upset a die-hard customer for displaying their brand pride, but many reserve the right to take legal action in the event an outlandish unforeseen issue occurs.
The negative press involved in suing someone over a brand-based tattoo isn’t worth the hassle, as Microsoft and Sony can attest to after attempting to do so in 2013. So don’t worry about legal action and get the brand tattoo you want without worry.

 

To be clear, we’re not saying you should get a lower back Wal-Mart tattoo like the guy pictured. In all fairness, to each his own, but you don’t necessarily have to get the actual logo of the brand you like.