Seal and logo license permission
A congregation or governing body may, of course, authorize the seal to be used for core functions of the governing body. For example:
- Printing on church stationery and publications
- Church signs
- Shirts for church athletic teams
The church must, however, be sure the vendor that produces these items does not then use the seal for its own purposes. For example, if Acme Printing produces 50 t-shirts for First Presbyterian Church using the seal, that use is authorized by the 1985 General Assembly action. If Acme Printing then uses the seal on other shirts and markets them, that is a copyright violation without a prior license from the Office of the General Assembly.
Any authorized use of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) symbol must comply with the following guidelines, and may be amended from time to time by the Office of the General Assembly.
Make no design or proportion alterations
The design and proportions of the symbol must not be altered in any way, except the size may be changed for use on stationery, signs, banners and so forth. The colors may be changed in the manner set forth below.
Use with or without "Presbyterian Church (USA)"
The symbol may be used with or without the words “Presbyterian Church (USA)” encircling it.
Adhere to the standardized color palette
A color palette has been established as part of the visible identity program for the church. Standardizing the color palette enhances the impact of the primary identification elements. Listed below are the primary colors. Recommended colors are indicated first as PMS (Pantone Matching System - uncoated (U) unless otherwise indicated), and then as equivalent CMYK, RGB, HSB (for PowerPoint colors) and Web colors (also called hexadecimal). White is also an integral part of the primary colors. Approved color combinations are illustrated in the PC(USA) Seal section.
Primary color palette |
||||||||||
|
PMS |
CMYK |
RGB |
HSB |
Web |
||||||
 |
072 | C:64 M:61 Y:0 K:32 |
R:63 G:67 B:173 |
H:238 S:64 B:68 |
#3F43AD | |||||
 |
032 | C:0 M:67 Y:64 K:4 |
R:246 G:80 B:88 |
H:357 S:67 B:96 |
#F65058 | |||||
 |
423 | C:4 M:1 Y:0 K:41 |
R:144 G:148 B:150 |
H:200 S:4 B:59 |
#909496 | |||||
Secondary colors provide additional design options. Gold should only be used in special situations, such as for awards and certificates. Only the seal may be reproduced in gold. Other secondary colors must never be used for primary identification elements, but may be used as accent colors in combination with the primary palette.
Although specific colors are traditionally related to each church holiday, the secondary color palette can add dimension to the ecumenical color range. Color can be used to enhance Sunday morning programs, or the recommended color combinations can be used for the design of vestments, paraments and banners.
Secondary color palette |
||||||||||
|
PMS |
CMYK |
RGB |
HSB |
Web |
||||||
 |
873C | C:0 M:19 Y:46 K:45 |
R:140 G:113 B:76 |
H:35 S:46 B:55 |
#8C714C | |||||
 |
274C | C:58 M:74 Y:0 K:25 |
R:34 G:21 B:81 |
H:253 S:74 B:32 |
#221551 | |||||
 |
279 | C:58 M:35 Y:0 K:14 |
R:91 G:142 B:219 |
H:216 S:58 B:86 |
#5B8EDB | |||||
 |
877C | C:4 M:2 Y:0 K:42 |
R:141 G:144 B:147 |
H:210 S:4 B:58 |
#8D9093 | |||||
 |
485C | C:0 M:61 Y:55 K:18 |
R:218 G:41 B:28 |
H:4 S:87 B:85 |
#DA219C | |||||
 |
270 | C:22 M:22 Y:0 K:13 |
R:173 G:174 B:222 |
H:239 S:22 B:87 |
#ADAEDE | |||||
 |
327 | C:100 M:0 Y:7 K:44 |
R:0 G:143 B:133 |
H:176 S:100 B:56 |
#008F85 | |||||
Never depict symbol with motion
The symbol must never be depicted with any type of motion. For example, the symbol must not be depicted in a video or on an Internet Web page as spinning.
Give public notice of trademark registration
While every use of the seal may not provide an opportunity to display the statutory notice (the circle “R”, ®) and use of the statutory notice is not mandatory, it is good practice, when practicable, to give public notice of the trademark registration by using one of the following:
- The letter R enclosed in a circle: ®
- Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
- Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
So, while it is not practical to display the statutory notice on a stained glass window or church sign, it is possible to note it on the reverse of a piece of jewelry or other inconspicuous place.
Trademark protection may be lost through improper use, abandonment and dilution. To minimize this risk, the symbol must always be used in its entire and original form.
As in this case with the notice of trademark registration, copyright notice is not mandatory but, whenever possible, it is desirable to include some notice of the copyright on the inside cover of publications displaying the seal. The following language is suggested: “The seal is the exclusive property of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is registered in the U.S. Copyright Office. This seal may not be used or reproduced without the prior written permission of the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.”
Report unauthorized use of seal
In addition, any suspected unauthorized use should be promptly brought to the attention of the Office of Legal/Risk Management Services or the Office of the General Assembly by forwarding the name and address of the user as well as a sample of their use of the seal.
Obtain prior permission for using the seal
Anyone other than a congregation or governing body who plans to use the seal must receive the prior permission of the Office of the General Assembly. Any products marketed in wholesale or retail settings must be specifically licensed by the Office of the General Assembly. An application for use must be submitted and a fee must be paid for each design. A sample of the proposed product should be sent to the Office of the General Assembly so approval may be based on the finished product.
For more information or a license to use the seal, contact:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Office of the General Assembly
Attn: Director of Operations
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(888) 728-7228, x8038