Recent Feedback
I want to write a book about the IMF and I wish to put on the cover his building with his big logo pasted on the building. I noticed former employees from the CIA used the CIA logo as a book cover. Is that legal?
Optional Information: Country relating to Question: United States Already Tried: I have used you before.
Hi, I’m a moderator for this topic and I wonder whether you’re still waiting for an answer. If you are, please let me know and I will do my best to find a professional to assist you right away. If not, feel free to let me know and I will cancel this question for you. Thank you!
Of course I am waiting for an answer since I paid $28. This is a simple question but however it is important. My question is since the book is about the IMF (rampant sexual harassment in the IMF, with retaliation), I thought that I could use IMF logo. I went to Amazon.com and noticed many books written about various companies (most of the times by insiders) used logos of the companies: CIA, Coca-Cola, McDonald, Starbucks, etc. Could you kindly answer to that question I would be quite grateful. Thanks.
Sometimes, finding the right Expert can take a little longer than expected and we thank you greatly for your understanding. We’ll be in touch again shortly.
Hello,
I would like to help you with this. The botXXXXX XXXXXne is that you have to get permission to use a government seal.
US government works sometimes incorporate names, titles, slogans, symbols, or seals whose use is subject to restrictions by other laws. Although these restrictions have nothing to do with copyright, the end result is that materials are not in the public domain. Some examples of restricted names and characters are Olympic, Olympiad (36 USC § 220506); Woodsy Owl and the slogan "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute" (18 USC § 711a); and Smokey Bear (18 USC § 711).
You'll find that many public domain US government works have restrictions similar to this one, from NASA:
NASA material may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of a commercial product, service, or activity, or used in any manner that might mislead.
That doesn't mean you can't use the material, even commercially. It just means you can't mislead people into thinking that the agency is in any way connected with your use.
And you are restricted from using US government seals or other insignia without permission. You never have to pay for that permission, but rather they just want to know that you are using it appropriately.
I hope that answers your question. If you are not satisfied with the answer, let me know. My goal is your satisfaction.
Sad I cannot use the IMF logo. It would have been wonderful since my testimony as well as my legal fight against the IMF (which I won without a lawyer) would have been more vibrant with the IMF logo. However I am surprised that other internal employees were able to use the CIA logo while those employees were actually testifying against the CIA.
Why don't you just contact them and get permission. It's my understanding that they let you use it unless you're trying to make it as if you represent them or something.
They will never allow me to use their logo; although I do not intend to represent them; I just want to write about them and my dismal experience there with all back-up documents.
Just write for permission to use the logo you don't have to tell them all the bad stuff. Tell them you're writing about your experiences. All they want is to know that you are not saying you're writing on their behalf, etc. I think you should try!!
Experience: 15+ years of practice, including intellectual property--primarily copyright law