USOPC Intellectual Property Info Sheet

Our brands and IP allow us to connect all fans with Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement in the United States. Our goal is to identify new products, partnerships, and events that help drive our brand values, organizational mission, and expand the presence of Team USA. This page will provide you with information regarding commercial use/licensing of our brands, guidelines, and ways to become an official partner of Team USA!

The use of USOPC IP is reserved for official Olympic and Paralympic sponsors, suppliers, and licensees. This includes requests by companies to create any product for any purpose (this includes and this not limited to Tee Shirts, Jackets, Polos, Hoodies, Hats, Pins, Water Bottles, Bumper Stickers, Plush, Key Chains etc.) or wishing to host an event (seminar, conference, team-building event) with an Olympic or Paralympic theme. Federal law also prohibits the use of OLYMPIC or PARALYMPIC in a company or product name without the USOPC’s permission

If you are a company that would like the USOPC to consider a proposal to become an Official Team USA merchandise licensee, sponsor or partner, please contact licensing@TEAMUSA2028.ORG or click here to submit a merchandise licensee proposal.


We ask that you please review our brands and guidelines outlined in the section below to help assist with additional information about us!


Trademarked logos, words, and phrases owned by the USOPC and proper use examples can be found below. In addition to the displayed trademarks, the USOPC controls the rights to future logos and word marks associated with Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American Games. This includes the right to control the commercial use of many photographs or other images from the Games that include Team USA athletes or USOPC IP. All official USOPC/USOPP partners and licensees will be required to submit all proposed uses of USOPC IP for approval through authorized channels prior to use.


ONLY OFFICIAL LICENSEES MAY USE

  • USOPC IP as authorized under the applicable license from the USOPC/USOPP.
  • Official USOPC/USOPP partners should submit all proposed uses of USOPC IP for approval through authorized channels prior to use.

Welcome to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Brand Usage Guidelines site - an overview of the USOPC’s intellectual property “IP” rights and guidance on how Olympic and Paralympic trademarks, images and terms may be used. These guidelines are not intended to provide legal advice and any information contained herein does not in any way limit the USOPC’s legal rights and remedies. If you think you may have infringed or might be about to infringe the USOPC’s rights, we recommend that you ask an attorney.

Unlike most National Olympic and Paralympic Committees around the world, the USOPC does not receive government funding to support athlete programs. The USOPC is responsible for overseeing amateur athletics in the United States and for training, funding and sending Team USA to the Olympic and Paralympic Games every two years. To allow the USOPC to fulfill these responsibilities, Congress granted the USOPC broad rights to control commercial uses of USOPC IP in the United States. Official corporate partners provide critical funding for elite athletes and athlete programs. The USOPC allows our official partners and licensees to use USOPC trademarks in recognition of their support for these athletes.

Federal law gives the USOPC extensive rights to control the use of USOPC IP in the United States and allows the USOPC to file a lawsuit against any entity using such intellectual property for commercial purposes without consent. We are committed to protect the USOPC’s rights and those of its sponsors, so we can maintain a sound sponsorship program that will support Team USA and send our athletes to the Games.

When others use USOPC IP without authorization, it creates a disincentive for our partners to continue funding Team USA in exchange for the right to promote that association with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team. Additionally, when individuals or other charitable organizations use USOPC IP in their own fundraising, it detracts from the USOPC’s ability to raise money for Team USA.

USOPC Intellectual Property Info Sheet

In addition to the displayed trademarks, the USOPC will have the right to control future logos and word marks associated with Olympic, Paralympic, and Pan American Games. This includes the right to control the commercial use of many photographs or other images from the Games that include Team USA athletes or USOPC IP.

Federal law also prohibits unauthorized use of simulations of OLYMPIC tending to falsely suggest an affiliation with the Olympic Games, such as AQUALYMPICS, SKYLYMPICS, CHICAGOLYMPICS, BROLYMPICS, RADIOLYMPICS, MATHLYMPICS, etc.

The USOPC does not control the trademarks or logos owned by the National Governing Body (NGB) for a specific sport. For instruction on the proper use of those marks, please contact the relevant NGB directly.

Q. I understand the policies, and I would like to contact someone to request more information or permission, who should I contact?

A. Below is a list of quick contact information:

Q. Where can I get more information the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

A. For more information about the Los Angeles 2028 games, please visit www.la28.org

Q. I applied for a business license and received a refusal from the Secretary of State. Does the USOPC consent to third party business names?

A. While the USOPC may not object to every third party use of a simulation of the OLYMPIC or PARALYMPIC marks, we do not provide consent to business names that are refused pursuant to the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.

Q. My wife/husband/daughter/son/fiancé/friend/coworker etc. is competing in the Olympic Trials. Can I make a t-shirt with Olympic marks to cheer them on?

A. The USOPC congratulates and supports all of its athletes. However, we kindly ask that you not create and wear apparel that incorporates USOPC to cheer on your athlete.

Q. I am writing a book about an Olympian. Can I use Olympic marks?

A. Please do not use USOPC IP as a title or on the front or back covers as a book. Permission may be obtained to incorporate USOPC IP trademarks and Olympic/Paralympic photographs on the inside of a book or in the copy.