U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Brand Usage Guidelines

What trademarks does the U.S. Olympic Committee own?

The USOC owns or has the right to control many trademarks or logos in the United States, including the graphics below and the trademarked words and phrases to the right.

Under federal law, the USOC has the right to use and control the commercial use of trademarks and logos related to the Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American Games. In addition to the trademarks shown above, the USOC will have the right to control logos and word marks associated with Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American Games in cities/years yet unnamed. We will refer to all of these marks collectively as USOC trademarks, and will refer to the Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American Games collectively as the Games.

The USOC does not control the trademarks or logos owned by the National Governing Body (NGB) for a specific sport. For instruction on the proper use of those marks, please contact the relevant NGB directly.

Why is there a special law to protect USOC trademarks?

Unlike most National Olympic Committees around the world, the USOC receives no government funding to support athlete programs. The USOC is responsible for overseeing amateur athletics in the United States and for training, funding and sending Team USA to the Olympic and Paralympic Games every two years. In order to allow the USOC to fulfill these responsibilities, Congress granted the USOC exclusive rights to control all commercial use of USOC trademarks, imagery and/or terminology in the United States. The protections cover the word OLYMPIC, the Olympic Rings, the word PARALYMPIC, the Paralympic Agitos, the word PAN AMERICAN, the Pan American Torch design, and very broadly -- any other word or symbol that suggests an association with the USOC, our team for the Games, or the Games themselves.

How does protecting USOC trademarks help Team USA athletes?

Because the USOC receives no government funding to support Team USA’s preparation for and participation in the Games, the USOC generates those funds primarily through broadcasting partners, sponsors, suppliers, licensees and donors. Official corporate partners provide critical funding for athletes and athlete programs and, in exchange for their support, are allowed to use USOC trademarks to convey that association. The USOC also raises funds through direct solicitation efforts, seeking donations from Americans to support our federally recognized charitable purpose of preparing athletes for the Games.

When others use USOC trademarks without proper authorization, the exclusivity of the USOC’s brand is threatened. Unauthorized use of USOC trademarks creates a disincentive for our partners to continue funding Team USA in exchange for those exclusive rights. Protecting sponsor rights encourages continued support of Team USA athletes and fosters the success of this country’s current and future elite athletes. Additionally, when individuals or other charitable organizations seek to raise funds using USOC trademarks, it detracts from the USOC’s own fundraising efforts for Team USA, which is why we do not allow third-parties to use USOC trademarks in their own charitable campaigns.

How does the USOC protect its intellectual property?

Federal law gives the USOC exclusive right to control the use of USOC trademarks, imagery and terminology in the United States and allows the USOC to file a lawsuit against any entity using USOC trademarks, imagery or terminology for commercial purposes without express written consent. The USOC is committed to protect its intellectual property rights and those of its sponsors, in order to ensure a sound sponsorship program that can support Team USA and send our athletes to the Games.