Issuing a policy and taking action to protect the identity of an organization is not very uncommon. Particularly when the organization eventually intends to license their brand to vendors.
It is hard to convince vendors to pay you to use your identity when the trademarks are easily accessible (such on the internet) or produced very freely. You may have noticed all high-resolution graphics of the trademarks have been removed from National's website. With the new policy, National can demonstrate they are controlling who uses their identity.
There are many scenarios where the identity could be licensed to a vendor (including the traditional scenario of ordering patches). For example, XYZ Tent Co. could approach the Boy Scouts to license its identity to create a "Scout" edition tent. Obviously, a brand name tent with the Boy Scout mark could be commercially compelling and be financial beneficial to both sides.
Please don't get hyped up about this... it is hypothetical. Though, I would not be surprised if the National Council establishes a website soon with more information (particularly for vendors).
BSA Trademark symbol use
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
Issuing a policy and taking action to protect the identity of an organization is not very uncommon. Particularly when the organization eventually intends to license their brand to vendors.
It is hard to convince vendors to pay you to use your identity when the trademarks are easily accessible (such on the internet) or produced very freely. You may have noticed all high-resolution graphics of the trademarks have been removed from National's website. With the new policy, National can demonstrate they are controlling who uses their identity.
There are many scenarios where the identity could be licensed to a vendor (including the traditional scenario of ordering patches). For example, XYZ Tent Co. could approach the Boy Scouts to license its identity to create a "Scout" edition tent. Obviously, a brand name tent with the Boy Scout mark could be commercially compelling and be financial beneficial to both sides.
Please don't get hyped up about this... it is hypothetical. Though, I would not be surprised if the National Council establishes a website soon with more information (particularly for vendors).