Use Of Rotary's Marks

When we are building websites, bulletins, and event flyers we want to be creative. Our desire to develop a unique look sometimes runs us afoul of the proper use of Rotary International's copyrighted material. While as Rotary Clubs and Rotary districts, we are allowed to use Rotary International's published materials, there are restrictions on just how we present them. Here are some pointers from the RI Copyright notice.

"These files are provided for the non-profit use of Rotarians worldwide. They may be quoted, excerpted or used in their entirety, but the information in the files should not be changed or modified in any way. Graphics may be scaled but Rotary emblems may not be reduced or enlarged beyond legibility and may not be otherwise modified, altered or obstructed. No fee may be charged for any material in these files, or for access to these files. All commercial use of this material is prohibited. Attribution notice for information from a Rotary International publication must be given and should take the following form:

Article Name, Publication, Issue and Date (i.e. The Buzz on Beekeeping, The Rotarian, June 1999; Partners propel Mozambique NIDs, Rotary World, Vol. 5 Number 4, February 1999)

or

Rotary Publication Name (i.e. Manual of Procedure)"

The Rotary Marks are the symbols including the Rotary Wheel and other logo designs. The most common violation of Rotary"s copyright is putting something else in front of the Rotary Wheel. When you use the Rotary Wheel as a background with text or other images covering the wheel you violate the copyright. Additionally, any time you use the Rotary Wheel you must include your club name or district name in an equally prominent size, font and location.

"ROTARY, the ROTARY EMBLEM, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION EMBLEM, ROTARY CLUB, ROTARY WORLD, INTERACT, the INTERACT EMBLEM, ROTARACT, the ROTARACT EMBLEM, ROTARIAN, SERVICE ABOVE SELF, PAUL HARRIS FELLOW, the IMAGE OF PAUL HARRIS, POLIOPLUS, PRESERVE PLANET EARTH, the PRESERVE PLANET EARTH EMBLEM, among numerous others, collectively the "Rotary Marks," are registered trademarks of Rotary International, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60602, USA. All rights reserved.

The use of any of the Rotary Marks in any manner not authorized by the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary International, or by action of the Rotary International Board of Directors, is forbidden and all Rotary districts, clubs, individual Rotarians and other recognized Rotary Entities shall conform to this provision. Rotary districts and clubs must refrain from the use of the word "Rotarian" as part of the name or title of any document or publication placed on the Internet. The word "Rotary" may not be used without a qualifier in order to indicate source by any Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary Entity, or Rotarian. (The word "Rotary" when used without a qualifier indicates that source is Rotary International. Programs, sites, and other communications not originated from, or directly sponsored by, Rotary International must contain a qualifier of "district," "club," or other source.) Any reproduction of the Rotary emblem or other emblems or logos of Rotary International must conform with official Rotary emblem specifications. The name, emblem, and other Rotary Marks should not be altered, modified, or obstructed in any manner, nor reproduced in other than their complete form."

The other place that we endanger the Rotary Copyright is by allowing the commercial use of the Rotary Wheel or other marks in violation of licensing provisions. Companies that produce "Rotary" merchandise without Rotary license violate the organization's copyrights. When we Rotarians purchase from these unlicensed vendors in order to save a few cents, we weaken our own organization and our copyrighted exclusive use of the Rotary Marks. When you buy Rotary products, you should buy them from licensed vendors. When you have custom products made for your club or your district by a non-licensed vendor you should get permission. It's easy to do and protects both Rotary and it's licensed vendors from encroachment.

ROTARY, the ROTARY EMBLEM, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION, THE ROTARY FOUNDATION EMBLEM, ROTARY CLUB, ROTARY WORLD, INTERACT, the INTERACT EMBLEM, ROTARACT, the ROTARACT EMBLEM, ROTARIAN, SERVICE ABOVE SELF, PAUL HARRIS FELLOW, the IMAGE OF PAUL HARRIS, POLIOPLUS, PRESERVE PLANET EARTH, the PRESERVE PLANET EARTH EMBLEM, among numerous others, collectively the "Rotary Marks," are registered trademarks of Rotary International, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60602, USA. All rights reserved.

The use of any of the Rotary Marks in any manner not authorized by the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary International, or by action of the Rotary International Board of Directors, is forbidden and all Rotary districts, clubs, individual Rotarians and other recognized Rotary Entities shall conform to this provision. Rotary districts and clubs must refrain from the use of the word "Rotarian" as part of the name or title of any document or publication placed on the Internet. The word "Rotary" may not be used without a qualifier in order to indicate source by any Rotary district, club, other recognized Rotary Entity, or Rotarian. (The word "Rotary" when used without a qualifier indicates that source is Rotary International. Programs, sites, and other communications not originated from, or directly sponsored by, Rotary International must contain a qualifier of "district," "club," or other source.) Any reproduction of the Rotary emblem or other emblems or logos of Rotary International must conform with official Rotary emblem specifications. The name, emblem, and other Rotary Marks should not be altered, modified, or obstructed in any manner, nor reproduced in other than their complete form.

For more information regarding use and permission to use materials under Rotary International copyright, contact RI Headquarters