wfn.org | United Methodist Trademark Violated

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (211
notes).

Note 210 by SUSAN PEEK on July 11, 1997 at 16:40 Eastern (2873 characters).

Contact:  Joretta Purdue  	398(10-71B){210}
		Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722  	July 11, 1997

Violations of United Methodist trademark
grow as church agency works to stem flow

	by United Methodist News Service

	Protection of the integrity of the cross and flame trademark of the United
Methodist Church is a growing problem in this time of quick and easy copying,
according to the legal staff of the denomination's finance and administrative
agency.
	"We're seeing even more violations now than we were six months and nine
months ago," said Mary Logan, general counsel for the United Methodist General
Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), which began enforcement about a
year ago, following the reassignment of that responsibility by General
Conference.
	Currently she is receiving a complaint every week or two, on average, she
added.	
	Logan said she does not know whether the increased instances is because there
are more violations "or because more people are becoming aware of it and
bringing it to our attention."
	A common source of problems is the local copy shop that has kept the design
on file after a minister has ordered business cards or stationery for the
local church. When a clergyperson from another denomination -- often a
Pentecostal church -- is seeking a design to use on their stationery, cards or
signs, the copy shop makes it available.
	They do not know that the insignia belongs to someone else, Logan explained.
Typically a sign or some other material will be seen by a United Methodist
pastor, who then reports the problem to GCFA.
	"Another violation that is more painful for us to deal with" involves
"official United Methodist organizations that love the cross and flame," Logan
said. In an effort to make it look like their own logo, people have added
waves, flames, shadows, stars, a hammer -- lots of different things, she
explained.
	"When people change the basic design, it dilutes the integrity of the real
mark," Logan said. That makes it harder for GCFA to protect it.
	Another source of violations are unofficial groups of United Methodists. "The
Discipline does not allow unofficial groups to use it," she noted.
	Because it is a trademark, its use is restricted only to official bodies of
the United Methodist Church.
	"People for the first time are learning that the cross and frame is a
registered trademark. They are surprised that they can't use it," Logan said.
"If they want to have a mark that is unique and that stands alone, then they
need to help us protect it that way."
	Her advice to avoiding a problem is to check the policy before using the
cross and flame, Discipline para. 807.5, and to start from scratch when
designing a logo. She also wants people to call GCFA when they see an
infraction.
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CROSS AND FLAME  --  2

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