All Olympic symbols are protected in Slovenia, regardless of who has the intellectual rights. The International Olympic Committee authorized the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, who is its full member, to protect the Olympic symbols, including the word "Olympic" and other related terminology.
The Olympic symbols include:
- The Olympic circles, The Olympic fire, The Olympic torch, The Olympic flag, The Olympic medal, The word “Olympic” and its phrases and derivatives;
- symbols of the Olympic Games, which include: phrases (London 2012, Sochi 2014), Olympic Games Sochi 2014, mascots of the Olympic Games, pictograms, the word "Olympic Games", signs of the Olympic Games;
- the sign of the Slovenian Olympic Committee and its versions.
In accordance with legislative provisions protecting intellectual property and on the basis of the Olympic Charter of the International Olympic Committee, no company that doesn’t have a business relationship with the International Olympic Committee, the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games or the Olympic Committee of Slovenia has the right to identify with the Olympic symbols.
The Olympic Committee of Slovenia may grant the right to use its symbol and the symbol of the Slovenian Olympic team if it doesn’t break the rules of the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Committee guarantees the right to use its logo to partners of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia. The right to use its symbol and the symbol of the Slovenian Olympic team is also given to the sponsors of the Olympic team. The latter also have the exclusive right to use the image and names of athletes and other members of the Olympic team during the Olympic Games.
No, the right to use the image and the name of the athletes, who are members of the Olympic team, during the Olympic Games, belongs exclusively to the sponsors of the Olympic team of Slovenia.
The right to use the image and the name of athletes and other members of the Olympic team is, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, the rules of the International Olympic Committee, (i.e. Rule 40) and a signed contract between the athlete, the Olympic Committee of Slovenia and the discipline association, guaranteed exclusively to the sponsors of the Olympic team of Slovenia and the TOP partner of the International Olympic Committee or sponsors of the Olympic Games. Rule 40 gives a very precise definition of the period of individual Olympic Games. In principle, the period begins nine days before the opening ceremony, lasts during the Games and finishes three days after the final ceremony. During this period companies that are not sponsors of the Olympic Movement are not allowed to use the image and name of an Olympic athlete, a photograph or sports achievement of the selected athlete or of another member of the Olympic Team of Slovenia.
During the period of exclusivity, the image and name of the athlete can be used exclusively by sponsors of the Olympic Team and the Olympic Committee of Slovenia for their own marketing needs.
Yes, the Olympic symbols, one of the most recognizable brands in the world, are properly protected in Slovenia. The Olympic Committee of Slovenia can provide its business partners with the use of their logo. At the same time, it must protect the Olympic symbols, which are the intellectual property of the International Olympic Committee.
The International Olympic Committee authorized the Olympic Committee of Slovenia for the proper legal protection of the Olympic symbols on the territory of Slovenia. In accordance with the rules of the International Olympic Committee, the NOC SLO must also inform the International Olympic Committee in the event of a violation and take appropriate action:
- inform the offender of their violation and request the immediate termination of advertising activities;
- inform the International Olympic Committee and the public of the violation;
- inform the Slovenian Chamber of Advertising of the violation and report the violation to the Slovenian Advertising Tribunal;
- start the relevant legal proceedings against the offender
The use of Olympic tickets for commercial purposes is prohibited, except with the authorization of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games. Such authorization is granted exclusively to official sponsors who may use the tickets for commercial purposes, including as a reward for promotional activities.
In the event of violation, the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games may withdraw the tickets included in the promotional activities of the company, who is an Olympic sponsor.
No, but it is advisable to buy official products. Any production of an informal "Olympic" collection or a copy of the official Olympic collection is prohibited.
Merchandising is not allowed, except in the case of an Olympic sponsor or with the approval of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games.
Care should be taken to ensure that the presentation of such an event does not lead to links with the official Olympic Games. The public must not be misled to think that this is an official event of the Olympic Games.
If a site is completely non-commercial (for example: forums, chats, clubs of fans, sports enthusiasts, etc.), the probability of ambush marketing is small and therefor it is allowed. In any case, the protection of Olympic symbols also applies to websites, therefore the use of Olympic symbols is prohibited.
At the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, we are always available to talk about marketing content or advertising elements. You can send your questions to the Marketing Committee of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia (marketing@olympic.si) or call the phone number (01) 230 60 31. We will be happy to respond and find suitable solutions together.
