VOCES Caelestes

Trademark Policy

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide information, standards, and guidance on the permissible use of names and trademarks of VOCES Caelestes (the “Choir”). The overall purpose of the trademark policy is to protect the Choir’s trademarks and to promote VOCES Caelestes.

II. WHO SHOULD USE THIS POLICY?

This policy applies to anyone affiliated with the Choir, to include directors, members, singers, anyone related to a singer, outside groups, internal groups and the media. Suppliers, manufacturers and retailers of commercial and non-commercial products must enter into a separate license agreement with the Choir before using any of the Choir’s trademarks.

III. POLICY

  1. Summary
    The Choir owns and controls its names, marks, logos, colors, insignias, seal, designs, commercially used depictions of concerts and events and symbols that have become commonly associated with the Choir (collectively referred to as “trademarks”). The Choir’s trademarks include, but are not limited to: “VOCES Caelestes”, “Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the enduring beauty of sacred and secular choral music from the 15th century to the present.” and “History Sings Through Us”; the Choir’s official seal and all current and future trademarks, service marks, word marks, designs, or logos used by the Choir. A partial list of the Choir’s trademarks is included in Appendix A. VOCES Caelestes owns the trademarks and all associated goodwill.
  2. General Guidelines
    The following General Guidelines apply to the use of the Choir’s trademarks by any individual, entity, or group (except as otherwise expressly and specifically agreed in writing by the VOCES Caelestes, Inc.). Approval to use a Choir trademark for one application (for example, a t-shirt) does not constitute approval to use the trademark again, or in connection with any other item, or to change the design in any way, without obtaining additional approval.
  3. Choir Seal
    All use of the Choir seal requires prior written approval from VOCES Caelestes, Inc.
  4. No Modification of Appearance
    The VOCES Caelestes trademarks are intended to present a positive image of VOCES Caelestes. The Choir’s trademarks must not be incorporated into the name or mark of another entity, organization, or group (except with prior written approval from VOCES Caelestes, Inc.)

    Anyone interested in using the Choir’s logos (or other trademarks with graphic elements) should not attempt to recreate them or allow any printer, typesetter, or design professional to do so. Only the official logos provided by VOCES Caelestes may be used, copies of which are available from VOCES Caelestes, Inc.

    The Choir’s trademarks must not be modified or altered in any way. The Choir’s logos (and other trademarks with graphic elements) must not be distorted or rotated, and none of the elements of the trademarks may be screened, flopped, or scaled out of proportion. No additional text or images may be added to any VOCES Caelestes trademarks, and no other text or graphics should be displayed on top of or behind the Choir’s trademarks.

  5. Commercial Use
    Any commercial use of the Choir’s trademarks requires a signed contract with the Choir, initiated through VOCES Caelestes, Inc.
  6. Non-Commercial Use
    Use of the Choir’s trademarks requires prior written approval from VOCES Caelestes.
  7. Copyright and Trademark Rights
    Under no circumstances is any individual, entity, or group permitted to claim copyright or trademark rights in or seek to register any trademark or design that incorporates, in whole or in part, any of the Choir’s trademarks or is confusingly similar to any of the Choir’s trademarks.
  8. Internet Domain Names
    No individual, entity, or group may register or use any Internet domain name (or sub-domain name) that includes, in whole or in part, any of the Choir’s trademarks without the prior written approval of VOCES Caelestes, Inc.
  9. No Endorsements or Discrimination
    The Choir’s trademarks may not be used in any manner that suggests or implies the Choir’s endorsement of other organizations, companies, products, services, political parties or views, or religious organizations or beliefs. The Choir’s trademarks may not be used in any way that discriminates or implies discrimination against any persons or groups based on age, ancestry, belief, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status, or in any other way that would be a violation of the Choir’s anti-discrimination policies or practices.
  10. Restricted Uses
    Under no circumstances is any individual, entity, or group permitted to use any of the Choir’s trademarks in connection with any of the following:
    • Art depicting or implying the use or endorsement of
      • alcohol;
      • illegal drugs;
      • tobacco products;
      • firearms or other weapons;
      • racist, sexist, hateful, demeaning or degrading language or statements;
      • profanity;
      • sexual acts; and
      • statements impugning other Choirs
    • Art or a design incorporating trademarks or copyrights not owned by the Choir, unless written permission for such use satisfactory in form and substance to the Choir is obtained from the trademark holder or copyright owner, and approved in advance by VOCES Caelestes.

The Choir will not approve the use of the Choir’s trademarks in connection with certain types of products. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • Weapons;
      • Alcohol-related products;
      • Tobacco-related products;
      • Illegal drug-related products;
      • Sexually suggestive products or language;
      • Gambling-related products;
      • Food and beverage products and accompanying packaging (other than for limited internal consumption in connection with official Choir events, and approved in advance by the Office of Marketing & Communications);
      • Products that present an unacceptable risk of liability;
      • Products harmful to the mission, integrity, or image of the Choir; and
      • Products that contain another entity’s registered trademark, unless explicit written permission has been granted from that entity.

IV. Descriptive Use of the Choir’s Word Marks

Use of the VOCES Caelestes name or other of its trademarks in connection with news reporting and other fair uses that do not undermine the Choir’s rights to its trademarks do not require approval by VOCES Caelestes, Inc.

Examples of Permitted Descriptive Uses:

    • Identifying an individual’s affiliation with VOCES Caelestes, such as a “VOCES Caelestessinger”, a “VOCES Caelestes director”, or “VOCES Caelestes CHOIR alumni”.
    • Identifying the location of a meeting or event, such as “in Monroe Park” or “in St. Benedict Catholic Church”.
    • Direct references to VOCES Caelestes or its official events, classes, publications, products, or services, such as “the VOCES CaelestesBoys Choir continues performances tonight.”

Appendix A

VOCES Caelestes Trademarks

  • “VOCES Caelestes”
  • “Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the enduring beauty of sacred and secular choral music from the 15th century to the present.”
  • “History Sings Through Us”