Disclaimer
This web site is a privately-created work of design, computer programming and research,
and has not been underwritten or supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or
any officially recognized National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Every step has been taken to comply with 36 USC 380 (see below) and to reinforce
the fact that this site is not an officially sanctioned website of the IOC, the United
States Olympic Committee or any other National Olympic Committee. No effort has been made
"to cause confusion, to cause mistake, to deceive, or to falsely suggest a connection
with the Corporation or any Olympic activity." (36 USC 380 section A).
Every page on
the site contains the following footer:
DISCLAIMER: This web site is not affiliated with or funded by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) or the
National Olympic Committee (NOC) of any country.
Secondly, this site is free from advertising or sponsorship of any kind. This site is
intended to be an educational and not-for-profit website providing useful information for Olympic fans
around the world. It is not "for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any
goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or
competition." (36 USC 380)
In the Webmaster's opinion, any incidental use of the "five interlocking
ring" symbol in pictures and graphics, or the word "Olympic," on this site
is not a violation of 36 USC 380 for the reasons stated above. The webmaster will fully
cooperate with the IOC and/or USOC if it is believed that sections of the site are in
violation of 36 USC 380.
The use of any and all copyrighted works in the creation of this site is, in the
Webmaster's opinion, protected by 17 USC 107 (see below). If the owner of a
copyrighted work used in the creation of this site believes that 17 USC 107 does not apply
to the use of their work, the site's creator will cooperate to the fullest extent
possible.
Corey Janecky
Webmaster
The following is United States Code 36 Statute 380, which governs the use of
Olympics-related terms and marks.
¤ 380. Use of Olympic symbols, emblems, trademarks and names
* (a) Unauthorized use; civil action; lawful use prior to September 21, 1950
Without the consent of the Corporation, any person who uses for the purpose of trade,
to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition,
athletic performance, or competition -
(1) the symbol of the International Olympic Committee, consisting of 5 interlocking
rings;
(2) the emblem of the Corporation, consisting of an escutcheon having a blue chief and
vertically extending red and white bars on the base with 5 interlocking ringsdisplayed on
the chief;
(3) any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia falsely representing
association with, or authorization by, the International Olympic Committee or the
Corporation; or
(4) the words "Olympic", "Olympiad", "Citius Altius
Fortius", or any combination or simulation thereof tending to cause confusion, to
cause mistake, to deceive, or to falsely suggest a connection with the Corporation or any
Olympic activity; shall be subject to suit in a civil action by the Corporation for the
remedies provided in the Act of July 5, 1946 (60 Stat. 427; popularly known as the
Trademark Act of 1946) (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.).
However, any person who actually used the emblem in subsection (a)(2) of this section,
or the words, or any combination thereof, in subsection (a)(4) of this section for any
lawful purpose prior to September 21, 1950, shall not be prohibited by this section from
continuing such lawful use for the same purpose and for the same goods or services. In
addition, any person who actually used, or whose assignor actually used, any other
trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia described in subsections (a)(3) and (4)
of this section for any lawful purpose prior to September 21, 1950 shall not be prohibited
by this section from continuing such lawful use for the same purpose and for the same
goods or services.
* (b) Contributors and suppliers The Corporation may authorize contributors and
suppliers of goods or services to use the trade name of the Corporation as well as any
trademark, symbol, insignia, or emblem of the International Olympic Committee or of the
Corporation in advertising that the contributions, goods, or services were donated,
supplied, or furnished to or for the use of, approved, selected, or used by the
Corporation or United States Olympic or Pan-American team or team members.
* (c) Exclusive right of Corporation The Corporation shall have exclusive right to use
the name "United States Olympic Committee"; the symbol described in subsection
(a)(1) of this section; the emblem described in subsection (a)(2) of this section; and the
words "Olympic", "Olympiad", "Citius Altius Fortius" or any
combination thereof subject to the preexisting rights described in subsection (a) of this
section.
The following is United States Code 17, Statute 107, which outlines the limitations of
copyright.
¤107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair Use
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted
work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phono records or by any other means
specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting,
teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not
an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any
particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include -
- the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial
nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
- the nature of the copyrighted work;
- the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work
as a whole; and
- the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such
finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(1988 ed. and Supp. IV)