Jay et al, Since we had the "belt buckle" thread of discussion, I have been asking questions and looking further into this issue. I am not sure if I have all the answers yet. Evidently, we do not have a very formal process on this issue of product licensing, which is very complex. For example, we have allowed the use of our logo on thousands of QSL cards and web sites for many years. You are correct that our trademarks, logos, etc. are our valuable intellectual property. I learned that lesson during my days in Public Broadcasting. I will move this up on my list of priorities but it make take me a month or so to get a handle on the situation and formulate some specific recommendations. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. We do need to deal with this in a more business like manner. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio 860 594 0220 <http://www.arrl.org/> ________________________________ From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 9:48 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13793] Re: Belt Buckle Harold: The belt buckle discussion raises some interesting and important policy questions. I expect we all agree that along with the reputation of ARRL, the ARRL trademarks, Logos, service marks are among our most valuable assets. That being the case I was wondering: 1. Do we have a policy or criteria as to what we will license and to whom we will grant licenses; and 2. Does that policy specify limits on the licensee's use of our intellectual property? Thanks. Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: John Bellows [mailto:jbellows@skypoint.com] Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 2:08 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:13780] Re: Belt Buckle Hi Harold: Is there a list of the individuals or entities that are party to marketing agreements authorizing the use of ARRL logos? If there is such a list would it be possible for members of the Board to get a copy in order to see the items covered by each agreement and the nature and scope of ARRL licensing arrangements? Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B [mailto:wj1b@arrl.org] Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 1:55 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R Subject: [arrl-odv:13779] Belt Buckle Hi, Re: Belt Buckle Let's see if I can clear up some of this confusion. We have a joint marketing agreement with ItsURCall.com. The firm will produce and market belt buckles with designs that include ARRL logos (such as the ARES logo), and ARRL will help cross-promote and market the product. Bob Inderbitzen and I worked out the deal a few months ago. The belt buckles actually look pretty sharp in person. You will be seeing further promotion of their products in QST and other ARRL publications per our agreement with them. This appeal from ItsURCall.com for additional attention from among the Field Organization should be interpreted as a strictly voluntary. Reading the emails on this topic, I wasn't entirely clear how the SM's received the email for ItsURCall. However, we do not have to give them permission to mail to the SM's. SM's email addresses are listed every month in QST and are on our web site, so anyone with the time and desire can obtain the mailing list. Bob will speak to them about "fine tuning" the language and sales techniques and specifically not referencing our agreement in future communications so as to avoid any further confusion 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 860 594 0220 www.arrl.org/