Can I put a geocaching logo on a drawing in my geocache description?

[+booksncomics]

See the logo on the red bison tube. I may include a similar drawing on a trading card for FTF if the answer is yes.

[+arisoft]

You can use the logo if you follow these guidelines https://www.geocaching.com/about/logousage.aspx

[+booksncomics]

Aha. Thanks. I'll just take it off.

[+kunarion]

1 hour ago, booksncomics said:

See the logo on the red bison tube. I may include a similar drawing on a trading card for FTF if the answer is yes.

 

This is a logo that has no trademark, yet is recognizable as a "Geocaching Logo":  

https://bytethebullet.com/geologo/leatherman_variants.htm

 

Soon after I joined Geocaching, I created my own unique logos, icons, and even mascots.  That way, I might make as many signature items as I like, even items for sale, without worries of running afoul of trademark issues.

 

 

Edited April 23 by kunarion

[+booksncomics]

2 minutes ago, kunarion said:

 

Soon after I joined Geocaching, I created my own unique logos, icons, and even mascots.  That way, I might make as many signature items, even items for sale, without worries of running afoul of licensing issues.

 

How are those not infringing? It's still the same basic design. I've seen a few avatars that seem to be altering the logo too. I don't understand, so it's probably best that I just change it.

[+kunarion]

42 minutes ago, booksncomics said:

How are those not infringing? It's still the same basic design. I've seen a few avatars that seem to be altering the logo too. I don't understand, so it's probably best that I just change it.

 

Most of mine do look like the letter "G", but they don't copy the official logo. 

 

And the logo in the above link was created to be free of trademarks.  That one is a lot like a hand-drawn letter G.  So, no, it's not the official logo.  But there's no requirement for you to use it.

 

The good news is, although the logo in the OP is tiny and hard to see, it looks like a circle with a plus sign.  That looks fine to me.  But I'm no expert.

 

Edited April 23 by kunarion

[+The Leprechauns]

Greetings from the topic starter of the 2002 forum thread that led to the generic "GX" logo as an alternative to Groundspeak's trademarked logos.  It's a simple, time-tested and popular solution, and I'm glad I raised the question way back then.  Unlike the official logos, the GX logo can be customized in any way the user desires.

 

Usage of Groundspeak trademarked logos is governed by the Logo Usage Policy, which makes for good reading.  If you have any questions about whether a proposed use is permitted, you can write to Geocaching HQ via the Help Center. 

[+booksncomics]

38 minutes ago, The Leprechauns said:

Greetings from the topic starter of the 2002 forum thread that led to the generic "GX" logo as an alternative to Groundspeak's trademarked logos.  It's a simple, time-tested and popular solution, and I'm glad I raised the question way back then.  Unlike the official logos, the GX logo can be customized in any way the user desires.

 

Usage of Groundspeak trademarked logos is governed by the Logo Usage Policy, which makes for good reading.  If you have any questions about whether a proposed use is permitted, you can write to Geocaching HQ via the Help Center. 

I searched logo copyright, but didn't find that thread. Thanks for linking to it. The only pictures I could see were from brdad, but enough to see the GX design. Is the one on page 2 the final design?

[+kunarion]

8 minutes ago, booksncomics said:

I searched logo copyright, but didn't find that thread. Thanks for linking to it. The only pictures I could see were from brdad, but enough to see the GX design. Is the one on page 2 the final design?

 

https://bytethebullet.com/geologo/leatherman_variants.htm

[+booksncomics]

1 hour ago, booksncomics said:

How are those not infringing? It's still the same basic design. I've seen a few avatars that seem to be altering the logo too. I don't understand, so it's probably best that I just change it.

Okay, now I see it as a G and X.

[+x7Kevin]

I think you could use the actual logo for what you are planning (on a drawing on a cache page and for a single card that is being given as a gift), but I would say with the way you've changed it you can absolutely use it for those purposes. It's so simplified it's just a crosshair on a green background which is something Groundspeak do not have copyrighted, but add to that you're are using it in a positive way and not for profit there is zero issues with the drawing. 

[+booksncomics]

Thanks, x7Kevin, but I felt it was too similar and can't always link to the website, so just changed it to a Gx. Thanks everyone.

[+x7Kevin]

3 hours ago, booksncomics said:

Thanks, x7Kevin, but I felt it was too similar and can't always link to the website, so just changed it to a Gx. Thanks everyone.

No problem! You actually don’t have to link to the website even when using the official logo, only ‘when possible’ but glad you found something that works. 

[+The_Jumping_Pig]

Are you selling this? Are you posting it on a website while saying that geocaching is horrible? Otherwise, I doubt HQ will care... Plus with the incredibly vague resemblance the very worst case scenario is that HQ asks you to remove it from your cache page or your trading card, and you oblige (or unneccessarily fight a suit that you honestly probably would win imo given the super vague resemblance)... but I think (hope) that HQ has bigger issues than that.

Edited April 24 by The_Jumping_Pig

[+booksncomics]

Ummm, no and no. Removing it from a trading card after printing would be a real pain, not to mention the cost. It did look better than the gx symbol, but I don’t want any future hassles.