Hi guys (and gals) -

First , let me apologize for not getting better feedback. My delay in doing so had nothing to do with any other entry. When the contest framework changed (99 designs new site) I had repeated problems making comments and then going back to see that the comments and ratings were not sticking. They handled the re-design poorly and it has mostly made the process harder, not easier.

Than, later in the week, I was unexpectedly pulled away, and not able to provide my typically 1-2 hour response. Sorry.

Regarding the Aliaslopot entries. Yes, it is true that the client preferred this look. It is not true that we lost interest in any other submissions.
When it was discovered that there was a prior contest on another site that used the same mark, I PM'd Aliaslopot, and asked for an explanation. The answer I received was satisfactory providing that it was verifiable and true. The explanation given was that the other CH choose to use something entirely different, thereby freeing up that design for consideration.

So far, that has not been able to be proven or disproven. As you can imagine, it is difficult to deliver the news to a client that the logo he liked may have 3rd part legal claims against it, and not be useable. I will attempt early next week to resolve this. If I am unable to do so, out of fairness to those who fairly participated in this contest, I will likely post another contest, and "pick up" where we left off. That seems the most fair solution to those who backed off when they assumed it was a done deal.

I welcome your feedback and comments as to the best way to fairly handle the latter - for Aliaslopot and others. i'm in the USA, and where I come from, folks are innocent until proven guilty. That said, we will not use any mark that can't be given clear and free title. I would be doing a disservice to my client.

Thanks for all your work and input. I really do appreciate the hard work and investments of time and talent put in by designers on this site for speculative outcomes.

Karl

Regarding the Entry by aliaslopot. We have been researching this matter, and have done PTO searches. My client is also consulting with a Trademark Attorney. CLearly, the client has this mark rated high, and is personally fond of it. There are some other strong entries as well. We hope to have legal opinion before the contest ends, but in no event will we award any contest that we cannot have clear title to the mark.

Also, Sorry to all of you who have been waiting for feedback. Frankly, while visually attractive, the new contest interface has a number of challenges - not the least of which is the fact that I have several times provided ratings, but they don't "stick". I am on a MAC running Safari, and that may be it. I am not sure.

Thanks to everyone for a great contest. There are many strong designers in the community. I wish I could award more than 1 prize. I think 99 Designs would do well to provide that functionality.

We cannot award the winning entry to a mark which we cannot validly copyright and trademark in the US. We are investigating this now.