Trademark Statement

Yellow Ribbon Image Licensing

The Yellow "Support Our Troops" Ribbon image is a registered trademark of the Minister of National Defence administered by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services on behalf of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. As such it is a protected image that may only be used with the explicit permission of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.

The policy regarding the usage of the Yellow Ribbon Image is as follows:

"Like many other slogans and symbols used by our organization, the Yellow Ribbon Image is subject to trademark protection in Canada. The trademark registration is held by Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence and the usage of the Image is administered by the Director General Morale and Welfare Services on behalf of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The following outlines the guidelines associated with the use of the Image.

The Yellow Ribbon Image is available to all divisions of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, both operational and support, for their own direct purposes, both Public and Non-Public.

The Yellow Ribbon Image will only be used on merchandise or apparel as authorized, produced and/or marketed by CANEX.

The Yellow Ribbon Image is not to be made available to any 3rd party without the authorization of the National Manager Strategic Communications.

The Yellow Ribbon Image will not be authorized for use by any 3rd party for the purposes of advertising their own goods and services.

The usage of the Yellow Ribbon Image by 3rd parties will only be authorized in conjunction with Support Our Troops fundraising or sponsorship events or activities.

Requests for licensed use of the Yellow Ribbon Image by 3rd parties for Support Our Troops fundraising or sponsorship events or activities should be directed to the National Manager, Support Our Troops Funds and Outreach who will assess each request on a case-by-case basis (either solely or in coordination with the Associate Director General, Sponsorship, Strategic Communications and/or CANEX, as deemed appropriate). Primary consideration will be given to those activities or events that offer greatest alignment with the goals of the Support Our Troops program.

On a case by case basis, usage of the Yellow Ribbon Image may be granted for the purposes of:
a. Promotion of a Support Our Troops fundraising activity or event
b. Promotion of a sponsorship agreement with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services or Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces
c. For use on apparel worn by event or activity organizers or participants provided this apparel is not made available for sale
d. For use on fundraising products or merchandise as authorized by CANEX, as in #2 above.
e. Promotional material such as print or web as well as team uniforms to highlight partner's affinity for the members of the Canadian Armed Forces (not for use on any for-sale merchandise or apparel).

As organizational needs evolve, we reserve the right to revisit and amend this policy."

As above, CANEX is the official and only vendor of authorized merchandise and apparel that features the Yellow Ribbon image.

Certain organizations that support funds administered by the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services have been authorized to use the image under license in association with special events or programs.