When can I use logos of large companies?

[Timmer1001]

What is the name of your state? TX

I just started my own small consulting company. On my website, I highlight my work experiences by stating what companies I have worked for or created marketing programs for when I worked for an Advertising Agency.
I am displaying roughly 15 logos ranging from Coca-Cola to the Chicago Bears. I have worked for all of these companies. I am not saying that these are current clients or that they endorse my company.

I have now received a cease and desist letter from my last employer. Don't I have the right to state where I used to work by using their logo? This is a privately held company with $13billion in sales.

Thanks for your help

TIMMER

 

[Silverplum]

What is the name of your state? TX

I just started my own small consulting company. On my website, I highlight my work experiences by stating what companies I have worked for or created marketing programs for when I worked for an Advertising Agency.
I am displaying roughly 15 logos ranging from Coca-Cola to the Chicago Bears. I have worked for all of these companies. I am not saying that these are current clients or that they endorse my company.

I have now received a cease and desist letter from my last employer. Don't I have the right to state where I used to work by using their logo? This is a privately held company with $13billion in sales.

Thanks for your help

TIMMER

No, you don't. Not without their permission. And obviously, you don't have permission.

 

[divgradcurl]

Don't I have the right to state where I used to work by using their logo?

There is a "fair use" defense for trademark infringement -- it's a "fair use" when the use of the mark is "purely descriptive." Any use that implies that the trademark holder endorses, approves of or is related to your services or goods is likely to be found infringing. Based on what you have written, you may very well have crossed over from "purely descriptive" to something infringing. But you lawyer will be able to tell you whether or not you can use "fair use" as a defense.

 

[Timmer1001]

My web page has the following headline:

"These are companies we have either worked for or created retail marketing programs for:"
Then I display roughly 15 logos of equal size without any additional comments or statements.

Is that "fair use"?

Thanks