Pub landlords won't be able to put up signs saying "Watch the London Games (or Olympic Games) here" and organisations won't be able to put on exhibitions with the words "summer 2012" or "London 2012" in the name during this summer's Olympics. Restrictions on mentioning any brands that are not official Games sponsors will be in force, and athletes have been told not to be seen with, or mention, Pepsi Cola or Nike, for instance, which are not official sponsors.
Using the words Games, Twenty-Twelve, 2012, or Two Thousand and Twelve, in conjunction with one of these words - London, medals, sponsors, summer, gold, silver or bronze - is also banned.
Games organisers are keen to avoid 'ambush marketing', which is where companies associate themselves with a particular event, without paying any of the fees associated with sponsorship.
One can only hope that the restrictions are playing a role in marketing the London 2012 brand, thereby (hopefully) reducing the financial impact to the British taxpayer.
It is, though, a shame to see things become that restrictive.
Posted by: John | April 24, 2012 at 11:38 PM
How can one restrict something as generic as "Summer 2012"? How can one copyright the *current* *year*?
Posted by: Dutch Uncle | May 01, 2012 at 02:20 PM