Lincoln football team’s In-N-Out photos went viral. Then came a takedown request

For the Fighting Zebras, In-N-Out in Lincoln was more than a backdrop. It was a longtime post-game hangout and part of the team’s culture. But when the players turned the restaurant into a football photo shoot, the burger chain saw more than a celebration of local tradition.

Read more Quinyon Mitchell vs Davante Adams: Matchup Breakdown

In-N-Out asked the Fighting Zebras to remove photos and videos from the viral photo shoot at its Lincoln restaurant at 850 Groveland Lane at Ferrari Ranch Road, saying the team’s use of the restaurant crossed a line involving its trademarks.

The Fighting Zebras football team held the shoot at the restaurant, where players posed at the drive-thru window, took orders at the register and stood in front of the menu. The team also posted behind-the-scenes video from the shoot.

The restaurant opened early to accommodate the team, according to a social media post. The football program described the In-N-Out as the team’s main post-game hangout after home games.

Photographer Glenn Silva’s photos and video quickly took off online. One video received more than 600,000 views and about 26,100 likes.

Silva told SFGate, which broke the story on Tuesday, that the goal was to capture more than football. He wanted to include the off-field experiences players would remember from their time on the team.

Silva and the team received an email from an In-N-Out trademark representative titled, “Unauthorized Filming and Photography at In-N-Out Burger — Immediate Removal Request.”

The company said corporate approval was required for filming and photography at its restaurants and requested that the team and Silva remove the content within three business days.

Read more Fantasy Football Week 4 Flex Rankings: Which RB/WR/TE Should You Start?

In-N-Out said in its email that the use of its restaurant, signs, logos and other brand elements without authorization could raise intellectual property concerns.

Silva and the team pushed back, including through an intellectual property attorney, but the company ultimately did not retroactively approve the shoot.

The posts have been removed. Silva told SFGate that he also cannot post any of the roughly 30 photos he took during the shoot.

A member of the Fighting Zebras booster club later apologized to In-N-Out by email. An In-N-Out trademark representative responded that the company considered the matter resolved and said it appreciated the organization’s relationship with the restaurant, according to emails obtained by SFGate.

“We appreciate the positive relationship your organization has with INO, and we hope the Fighting Zebras continue to enjoy many more post-game visits,” the email said. “Thank you again, and best of luck with the rest of the season!”

In-N-Out and the Western Placer Unified School District did not immediately respond Wednesday to requests for comment.

Read more On Arike Ogunbowale’s record night, Wings force Game 3 vs. Valkyries