Are There Restrictions on the Use or Registration of Flags or National Symbols of Countries?
Yes. Many countries restrict the use of their own and other countries flags or national symbols. In the United States, for example, the trademark statute forbids registration of flags, coats of arms and other insignia of the United States, the States, cities and other countries; the United Kingdom forbids registration of the Royal Coat of Arms and restricts registration of certain national flags; Japan forbids registration of its own and other countries flags and crests. Many countries also have restrictions on use of marks associated with their political leaders and on marks of certain organizations, such as the United States Olympic Committee and the Red Cross. Qualified counsel should be consulted prior to adopting a mark comprising a flag, national symbol or leader, or the name or symbol of a national or international organization.
Yes. The laws of many countries prohibit the registration of marks comprising their flags or national symbols, as well as those of other nations. Many countries also have restrictions on the use of marks associated with their political leaders and on marks of certain organizations, such as the Olympics and the Red Cross.
