U.S. Coast Guard Trademark and Licensing Program

Welcome to the U.S. Coast Guard Trademark and Licensing Office. We are responsible for reviewing, registering, and regulating all requests to use the official Coast Guard trademarks and emblems. We are also charged with protecting the brand from unauthorized use and to deter copyright infringement.

All individuals and organizations are required to obtain prior written approval in advance before producing any products that display the official Coast Guard brands.

BRANDING | TRADEMARK & EMBLEMS | FAQs

CONTACT US

For additional information or to report unauthorized use please contact the Trademark Licensing Program Office: trademarks@uscg.mil

Or you can mail already approved trademark samples and products to:
Commandant (CG09231)
Trademark Licensing Program
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Ave SE Stop 7501
Washington, D.C. 20593-7103

BRANDING

The U.S. Coast Guard's mark, emblem, and name are protected by federal law 14 USC 639. The use of Coast Guard protected words and symbols for commercial purposes is prohibited unless the producer completes a licensing agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard policy and federal law prohibits anyone from falsely representing that any project, business, product, or service is in anyway endorsed, authorized, or approved by the Coast Guard.

TRADEMARK AND EMBLEMS

USCG EMBLEM

COAST GUARD EMBLEM

The Coast Guard emblem is available for commercial use with a license agreement. For purposes of rendering the Coast Guard emblem in color, Coast Guard red is defined as PMS 179 C, and Coast Guard blue is PMS 307 C. When printed in black ink only, all red and blue sections shall be printed in black.

COAST GUARD MARK

The Coast Guard mark is available for commercial use with a license agreement. The Coast Guard mark consists of the Coast Guard emblem and a tri-colored band of Coast Guard blue (PMS 307 C), then white, then Coast Guard red (PMS 179 C).

COAST GUARD SEAL

The Coast Guard seal is a pair of crossed anchors superimposed by a life ring with a shield and surrounded by a line grommet. The Seal is for official use only and shall not be reproduced outside of the United States Coast Guard.

COAST GUARD ENSIGN

The Coast Guard ensign is a symbol of the United States Coast Guard law enforcement authority and is, by law under 14 USC 638, restricted to official use only.

USCG STANDARD

COAST GUARD STANDARD

The Coast Guard standard is used during parades and ceremonies and is adorned by Coast Guard 34 battle streamers. Service-related organizations may use the standard on temporary loan with approval from Commandant (CG-09232).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Licensing Process

Who needs a license?
Anyone wishing to use a Coast Guard trademark in association with their goods and/or services must obtain a license.
When do I need to use a disclaimer with the trademark license?
Use of a disclaimer is appropriate in instances where Cost Guard insignias are used to describe goods or services, or otherwise as a reference. In such cases, the following disclaimer must be posted in a prominent place; 'Neither the United States Coast Guard nor any other component of the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this product (or promotion, or service, or activity)'.
Does my official trademark license expire?
The Coast Guard established a formal trademark and licensing program in 2010. If you have a permission letter that dates before this time, you will need to reapply and obtain a license.

All license agreements have different terms and conditions. The term will define the relevant time period during which the license agreement shall remain in effect.
May I incorporate the CG branding Can I add the CG logo/emblems and trademarks and add them into my personal and or business branding efforts?
No. Incorporating Coast Guard trademarks into that of another individual, association, partnership, or corporation may lead the public to believe that it is endorsed, authorized, or approved by the Coast Guard. Federal law prohibits this kind of endorsement of a private activity even when its mission is patriotic in nature or otherwise is "positive" for the Coast Guard.

Products

What types of products can be licensed?
All products using a Coast Guard trademark need to be licensed or receive an approval letter. Federal law and Coast Guard policy restrict individuals, associations, partnerships, or corporations from falsely representing that their projects, businesses, or products have been in any way endorsed, authorized, or approved by the Coast Guard.
What types of products cannot be licensed?
You may not add the Coast Guard license to bullets, guns, knives, incendiary devices or other weapons.

Political Use

Can political candidates use the Coast Guard trademarks on their campaign materials?
Political candidates may accurately state they have served their country and address questions related to their military service. However, they are not authorized use of any Coast Guard trademarks in their campaign materials. The use of the Coast Guard emblem, mark or name on any printed material would falsely mislead the audience to believe the service endorses the political candidate or party.

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