Britons play silly buggers with Olympic brand police

by John Bowman Posted: July 23, 2012 11:31 AM Last Updated: July 23, 2012 11:31 AM

View the story "Britons play silly buggers with Olympic brand police" on StorifyBritons play silly buggers with Olympic brand policeStorified by CBC News Community · Mon, Jul 23 2012 08:10:29The various organizations and bodies behind the Olympic games are notoriously strict with its logos, trademarks and brands.

The rings, the word "Olympics," the names of the host cities and even the year in which the games take place are all protected. If you aren't a sponsor or an official partner of the Olympics, they're off limits.

This poses a problem for businesses who want to cash in on Olympic fever, so some have come up with, shall we say, creative ways of getting around the rules enforced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Getting around the Olympic brand police at the expense of the pedants. shop in Surbiton. http://pic.twitter.com/tcWoJL1JtompskCunning way to get around the Olympics copyright issues. http://pic.twitter.com/ZKRImPe7Karl BairdAnd if it's not square rings, it's triangles.
This is typical of what retailers are doing to dodge LOCOG's restrictions. Guess, Regent St. http://twitpic.com/aasxehjohn ryanOr unlink the rings and rearranged them.
#Dorking coffee shop getting into the Olympic spirit http://twitpic.com/aas7o7Sam BlackledgeAnd it's not just logo and images. Putting too many words associated with the games in close proximity is a no-no, too. They aren't "illegal to print," as this satirical billboard suggests, but you'll get a call from some humourless lawyers.
Olympic brand police: the resistance continues http://twitpic.com/aate07 @Olympics_2012 @shitlondon @willsh @GrahamDrewNigel GwilliamAdvertisers try to skirt the rules, too.
They are at it again. @paddypower doing their best to upset the LOCOG apple cart #london2012 http://yfrog.com/nw3bqyxjFreddie SThis ad for the Olympics on Swanston St is hilarious. Yes. Those are condoms. http://pic.twitter.com/GWxmmb0XBenAnd "unofficial" Olympic merchandise can be found, although it's usually pretty easy to spot.
More definitely unofficial Olympic merchandise.... http://pic.twitter.com/1oepcnJwPhil Sharphere's another look at our limited run olympic themed snapbacks. Enjoy.. http://pic.twitter.com/eimed0JCStarterOur youngest's pre-school's one on the eye for the Olympics brand police. Take that Lord Coe! http://lockerz.com/s/227550768Lee HayhurstSome Britons are wondering just how strict the Olympic "brand police" can be.
Take THAT LOCOG. http://pic.twitter.com/Vxj6vkVmtheflorenceIf I have 5 coconuts in a box how can I place them without getting in trouble with #locog http://yfrog.com/oc88671651jHealthy StuffThe attitude of the organizing bodies toward their marks, symbols and mascot make it ripe for parody.
This diagram shows all the different ways to get sued by the #Olympic Commission at London 2012 http://pic.twitter.com/es4EPaqjHAL 9000RT @death_stairs: @madeupstats I've made a chart showing what the Olympics will bring to London. #madeupstaturday http://pic.twitter.com/sxI3pfDxMr. Edd@spacehijackers #olympics logo couldn't make it clearer... now behave. http://pic.twitter.com/1SlMwgMTWhitecutOlympics is your friend citizen. Olympics is your kin. Behold Olympic love for you! http://pic.twitter.com/VjOIvnMSOlympics 2012There are media reports suggesting that people who attend Olympic events with clothing that prominently displays the logos of companies that aren't sponsors - a Pepsi t-shirt, for example - would be asked to remove it.
My cartoon - avoid brand conflict - LOCOG's advice to Olympic ticket holders http://pic.twitter.com/P83ocXL8Martin ShovelGraffiti around London has reflected some of the anti-Olympic sentiment around the city.
#Olympics http://pic.twitter.com/qjmEakZAAnti-illuminatiThis - this is *beautiful*. #Olympics #London2012 #McDonalds #graffiti #abootstampingonahumanfaceforever http://pic.twitter.com/djGqapbFJoundefinedTumblrLOCOG don't know who you are Citizen. but we have a particular set of skills. We will look for you, we will find you http://pic.twitter.com/vLvSoCBjOlympics 2012There's even some unauthorized use of Olympic marks popping up on Pinterest, although these seem to be quite enthusiastic about the games, so we hope the IOC doesn't come down on them too hard.
Olympic nails inspired by Gemma Lambert done by me on @scousenel http://www.nailartz.vpweb.co.uk http://pic.twitter.com/U2k1GekQMarcelle TuckleyKid Blogger Network Activities & CraftsPinterestPartyPinterestWho is PetaPinterestAny place I hang my hat is home...PinterestThemed PartiesPinterest

Tags: social media, Sports, Storify, U.K.

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