County's logo may be changed to honor MLK

King County's logo may be changed soon to honor the man after whom the county is named: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

An ordinance proposed by County Councilman Larry Gossett, D-Seattle, would change the county symbol from a crown to a likeness of King. The council will vote sometime after the King holiday Monday.

The County Council in 1986 changed the county's namesake from Alabama slaveholder and U.S. Vice President William Rufus DeVane King to civil-rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King. The state Legislature last year adopted the change.

"It is fitting that in the year we will celebrate 20 years as Martin Luther King Jr. County, we will finally begin the process that will lead us to a logo that displays his image," Gossett said in a written statement.

The County Council put off action on the logo ordinance last month to give Gossett time to talk with representatives of the King family. The ordinance would authorize the use of King's image in governmental activities but not in any commercial ventures the county might engage in. A logo has not yet been designed.

King's estate owns rights to use of the image, but County Council attorney Jim Brewer said Washington state law exempts governmental uses of celebrity images from royalty claims by their estates.

Commercial use of King's likeness may be another matter. County Councilwomen Jane Hague, R-Bellevue, and Kathy Lambert, R-Woodinville, have expressed concern that the King estate might seek royalties if the county used King's likeness in such "entrepreneurial" activities as hosting concerts or Cirque du Soleil at Marymoor Park.

County Council members have discussed with Brewer in closed session whether the county might have to pay royalties for some activities at pools, parks and the Enumclaw fairgrounds.

Gossett said Monday he had contacted attorneys and intellectual-property representatives of the King family, who told him they would seek direction from King's widow, Coretta Scott King, who was ill.

A council staff report estimated it would cost $597,305 to replace the existing logo on buildings and vehicles over five years. Replacing the logo on stationery and business cards wouldn't add any cost because those would be replaced as they are routinely replenished.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com