Animal rights group Compassion Over Killing has filed a lawsuit against the United Egg Producers trade group and New Jersey egg farm ISE America for still using its now defunct “Animal Care Certified” logo on egg cartons.

Just like other trade logo designs such as Alaska Grown and Canada’s Health Check Logo, the Animal Care Certified logo was stamped on licensed egg producers meeting the set standards of the group.

However, Compassion Over Killing had complained about the wording in 2006 for this logo is misleading to the consumers. While it implies that eggs come from well-treated hens, the reality is that hens are locked up in cramped metal cages. In April 2006, the Federal Trade Commission and 16 other states agreed to stop using this logo design, forcing the group to change the wording to “United Egg Producers Certified”.

But ISE is still using the old logo on its big egg farm, much to the dismay of the animal rights group. That’s why Compassion has filed charges for violating the Consumer Fraud Act of New Jersey and other legal agreements with the federal government.

Time and again, this is an important reminder to all entrepreneurs and trade groups to study carefully the text and even symbols to use in any logo design, particularly if this will have a bearing to a bigger group or community.

If you think that car logos of famous cars are stylish and timeless, you will be more amazed once you know their meanings and contributions to history. Good thing Neatorama has written a comprehensive blog post about the evolution of car logos.

Discover why Audi uses four interlocked rings as its logo and the controversy behind Cadillac’s design based on a family crest of a minor aristocrat. These are just teasers of what you will discover in that evolution.

The brand Renault turned out to be the most fickle among car logos given the number of significant alterations it had implemented since the early 1900s. On the contrary, Ford is the most loyal to its original logo. So it BMW.

But I’m most intrigued about the dark past of the Volkswagen or the German phrase for “People’s Car”. It turned out this concept came directly from World War II scoundrel and military genius Adolf Hitler. I won’t be spilling the details here so check out Neatorama. But for someone who grew up idolizing that weakling yellow Volkswagen Beetle Autobot named Bumblebee in Transformers, I find it rather ironic and quite upsetting.

Hoping to get rid of its Bugs Bunny look-alike mascot, South Dakota State University (SDSU) has unveiled the new and improved Jackrabbit mascot design.

These new designs were inspired by more than 18 months of gathering and researching insights through surveys, 8,000 e-mail comments, contest, feedbacks from the alumni, and focus group discussions all over the state.

In the end, the winning mascot design was picked out of 250 local and international submissions in the “Design the Jackrabbit” contest. The outcome is a major transition from a cuddly costumed mascot to a new Jackrabbit with sleek lines and more intense looks.

SDSU also adopted from one of the finalists a word-mark “Jacks” logo design featuring distinctive ears and tail. Apparently, several vendors and news media are asking for a shortened version of the mascot.

In addition, this image makeover comes in a very opportune time as the university is “gaining a reputation for cutting-edge research and economic influences.” The new mascot design supposedly reflects a “modern feel” that is very fitting on the school’s focus on innovations and future advances.

Luckily, the former costumed rabbit created in 1971 will remain part of major SDSU events and will continue to entertain the future generations, alumni and kids.

via GoJacks.com

World Meeting of Families is a religious event held every 3 years to “‘celebrate the divine gift of the family and to unite families in prayer, speaking, learning, sharing’ and getting deeper into the comprehension of the role that the Christian family plays as a domestic church and the basis of evangelization.”

The organizer has unveiled the official logo design for the 6th celebration which will take place in January 13-18, 2009 in Mexico. The new logo features a group of shadows representing the members of the family, three hearts in between each character, and symbol of the crucifix above the image. The overall theme of the event is “The family: teacher of human and Christian values.”

Just like many religious logos with simple designs, it contains deeper meaning. According to organizers:

The cross represents the presence of God as the support of the unity of the family and the three hearts unite or represent the family united by love and relationships. The attitude of the members of the family is one of trust and joy in the Lord,” the organizers explained.

Also, the color symbolizes Mexico as well as hope. If you’re eyes are keen enough, you will notice that the shadow image of the mother is pregnant. Again, it embodies the most significant event celebrated by every family.

via CNA

More and more cities are embracing branding to enhance or even reposition its public image.

A recent addition to city logos is Cardiff, the capital and largest city of Wales (United Kingdom).

The city’s first ever logo, which costs £45,000, features the name “Cardiff Caerdydd” encircled with multi-colored discs. These colors represent the city colors such as parks and waterfronts.

Promoters believe this logo will help the city “stand out on the world stage” and position itself as a progressive place to live, work, visit, invest and study.

Apparently, the people behind this initiative want to get rid of the traditional associations with Cardiff such as dragons and daffodils. The city’s flag and seal feature the Red Dragon with the motto “Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn” or “The red dragon will lead the way”.

As expected, some people in this city detest the logo design. In the comments section of BBC, people associate it with chocolate Smarties, old analogue telephone and paint manufacturer. Others call it rubbish, bland, boring, predictable, and meaningless just like the disastrous London Olympics logo design.