What are the utilitarian aspects of a “cheerleading uniform”? Are they the stripes, lines, and patterns that adorn them? Or is the qualifying factor the moisture-wicking, flexible fabric that determines the function of the uniform? This is what the Supreme Court is being asked to answer. However, the repercussions of their decision run deeper than just within the cheerleading community. The Supreme Court will be determining what intellectual property protections are available for members of the fashion industry, specifically if design features can earn copyright protection. Furthermore, they must decide if it is possible to rely on a two-pronged test to determine if an article’s design features may be copyrighted. Articles of clothing are means of creative expression that are the equal of works of poetry, music, and novels, and as such they should be entitled to the same intellectual property rights, including copyright protection. Varsity Brands, Inc. (“Varsity”) is a …show more content…
Varsity brought suit against Star Athletica because they believe “that several of Star Athletica’s advertised cheerleading uniforms are similar to their copyrighted designs” (Fang). Varsity alleges five cases of copyright infringement, stating that they violated the Copyright Act. Star Athletica asserted counterclaims alleging that Varsity had made fraudulent representations in their filings with the Copyright Office because the designs at issue were not copyrightable. Star Athletica “argued that Varsity did not have valid copyrights because the designs were for ‘useful articles,’ which cannot be copyrighted, and the designs cannot be separated from the uniforms themselves, which also makes the designs impossible to copyright” (Oyez). This case exemplifies the vagueness in the Copyright Act and calls for clarification to be made in determining what should be included as copyrightable
Why should 12-14 year old girls be able to wear their school provided cheerleading uniform to school? You open the closet trying to find something to wear to school, but then you remember that tight, uncomfortable outfit that you have to wear to school that day. Your cheerleading uniform! You want to run away but you already know that you have to wear it or face the consequences (even if that means getting kicked off the team!). Twelve through fourteen-year-old girls should not be able to wear cheer uniforms to school. There are many complaints about the uniforms that girls are forced to wear. Some complain that they are very uncomfortable especially during the cold and windy weather. It’s like they are in prison! Students have clothes that express them in detail, color, or even style. People should never be separated from what they like, and schools should definitely
It is a great idea for schools to implement a policy on school uniforms because statistics show that students who wear uniforms make better grades, the male students are not going to be distracted by what the female students are (or aren't) wearing, and students feel a sense of fairness with one another as they are all wearing the same things and when students are at one with one another their confidence soars, which leads to doing better at school. Student uniforms helps with reducing the amount of bullying therefore the students who would normally be bullied now have a much better disposition while at school, which will lead to a healthier safer learning environment. When students feel less threatened at school, they can concentrate better which leads to better grades. The schools which have an enforced uniform policy have properly dressed students. When teenage girls, want to impress teenage boys dress inappropriately it causes a lot of distractions and trouble. The girls are also envious of on one another so unrest is caused in the classroom throughout the day, not only with the boys who are looking at the girls, but also at the girls who are jealous of the ones getting the attention.
The history of cheerleading is connected to the development of sports in the United States and crowd participation at athletic events. In 1869, the first American football college game took place at Rutgers University against Princeton University in Piscataway, New Jersey. This was where cheerleading initially began.
A safe and structured learning environment is the first requirement of a good school. Children who feel safe and secure will better learn basic American values. In return they will learn the basis of good citizenship and become better students. In response to growing levels of violence in our schools, many parents, teachers, and school officials have been forced to look toward school uniforms as one potentially positive way to reduce discipline problems and increase school safety.
middle of paper ... ... Retrieved 11 20, 2010, from First Amendment Center: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/studentexpression/topic.aspx?topic=pledge. Jr., D. L. (2010, 11 19). Student Expression. Retrieved 11 23, 2010, from First Amendment Center: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/speech/studentexpression/topic.aspx?topic=clothing_dress_codes_uniforms.
Proponents of school uniforms agree that students’ school uniforms are not a violation of their First Amendment of the U.S. constitution right. In the case of Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board, the Fifth Circuit upheld that “students remain free to wear what they want after school hours. Students may still express their views through other mediums during the school day” (Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board). Advocates for school uniforms argue that school is for learning, and that self-expression is for after-school hours. Some people will say that there is room for self-expression such that students’ can use hairstyles and accessories to start forming their individuality. However, proponents of school uniforms need to
Twenty three percent of schools across the United States require a uniform(“Mcdermott”).Should schools require children to wear uniforms?Are uniforms superior or inferior?Many people have a different opinion on this topic.Can uniforms be used for good purposes? Sure, but think about all the cons over pros.Uniforms are a terrible decision for schools for three main reasons: it doesn”t allow students to express themselves properly,the cost of uniforms is very expensive,and many people have said it has helped with the crime rate and attendance but there is no evidence of that(“school uniforms pros and cons”).
One of the greatest controversies that is spreading throughout high schools in the United States is parents and their children against the enforcement of their school’s uniform policy. More schools have been adopting uniform policies within the past decade. Rules contained in the policy that are implemented range from wearing certain types of tops (shirts) in specified colors to students being required to tuck in their shirts. In the past, uniforms were exclusively for students who attended private schools because they were “well-off”, but now uniforms are being seen more frequently in public schools on students of all economic levels. Having gone through a school system that considered adopting a uniform policy, I would have to press against the issue of mandated uniforms, because it is simply un-American and unjust.
Required school uniforms is a topic debated in many school systems; should children wear school uniforms or not? According to Tucker, a representative for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, “School uniforms or a formal dress code policy in public schools are on the rise as nearly half have a policy in place or have plans to implement one – more than double from 2000,” (Tucker). Some people tend to love the idea because they keep children more focused in school and it saves parents money and stress. On the other hand, others do not like the idea because it takes away the students’ freedom of choice and delays children’s transition into adulthood. There is no clear answer on the school uniform debate and it is more complex than people realize.
For example, “name brand” clothing is still prominent in schools with uniforms, but it shifts to other brands that carry uniform items or trendy accessories. New “name brand” and must-have items for students with uniforms often become bags, shoes, socks, or jewelry, because the competitive nature of children to have the best items is present, and the implementation of uniforms does not change that. Since students are no longer allowed to express themselves through the shirts or pants they wear to school, they turn to other accessories, like the aforementioned shoes, in attempts to distance themselves from the likeness of others. Therefore, uniforms do not effectively provide equal opportunities for students or make them all the same; the differences of students force their way out into the
At the beginning of the 20th century almost no parent or faculty had any concerns with how students dressed to attend school. Nowadays, though, this is a giant concern among students, parents, and school board officials. Many arguments have been made over the matter saying uniforms should be required and enforced in schools. But, uniforms should not be required as they ultimately eliminate freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, may have a detrimental effect on students self image, emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate, and lastly, school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by adding an extra expense for families.
The subject of school uniforms can spark quite a debate among proponents and opponents on both sides of the issue. You can find mixed feelings whether you talk to school administration and staff, parents, or the students themselves. In my research, I see more pros than cons associated with a school uniform policy; therefore, I would like to examine some of these positive impacts more closely. It is exciting to see how these policies are making a resoundingly-positive impact in our children’s lives! I think, as parents, we all want to level the playing field for our children.
Pickerington School District should require students to have a uniform dress code. The current dress code policy is very minimal and is not adhered to by the students. Faculty overlook the students who don’t abide by the current dress code as it would take away from their teaching time. One of the main concerns that is brought up when the topic of school uniforms is discussed is freedom of expression. Many people worry that not allowing children to wear certain clothing will “stifle their creativity” (p. ) or restrict their First Amendment rights (Nevada, 2008). There are many reasons for having uniforms in public schools. School uniforms have been shown to improve test scores, raise school pride, increase attendance, reduce violence, and teaches students to dress professionally. School uniforms can also avert the wearing of gang colors (Wilson, 1998).
Dress codes and uniforms have been deemed legal by the United States Supreme Court. As long as the dress code or uniform regulations pass a four-pronged test. Opposition for school uniforms holds fast to preserving the sanctity of freedom of speech. The supreme court ultimately has decided that dress codes and uniforms do not violate the freedom of speech. In Harold W. Mitchell and John C. Knechtle’s study of the first amendment rights and dress code, they note that in 1968 in Ginsberg v. New York the supreme court ruled that “[t]he state has power to control the conduct of children that reaches beyond its scope of authority over adults (491).” Mitchell and Knechtle go further into explaining the 4 pronged rule the supreme court uses to judge if a rule is against the freedom of
To begin, a commonly used argument against the implementation of public school uniforms is that they restrict students’ freedom of expression. Although