Unfortunately a small number of these people don’t see, understand or believe that permission to use these badges and logos applies to them. Furthermore, if they want to use the badge or logo, they don’t have to have done any work for that particular company or shouldn’t have to pay for the privilege or be a member of the club itself. In effect what they are doing is known as ‘passing off’ and this is plain and simply illegal.
The attached link to a news item in the Peterborough Telegraph on line service – Peterboroughtoday.co.uk – demonstrates the consequences of ‘passing off’.
Click here to read the news item and the consequences of passing off and pretending to be something you are not.
Only current members of the BSGA are entitled to display our registered mark on any of their media, including vehicles, as this sends a strong message to their customers – potential or existing – that their business has been vetted by the BSGA and is deemed to be competent, qualified and professional in their capacity in the sign industry as well demonstrating that they are one of the best in their sector. We will defend our and our Members’ rights and clamp down very swiftly and effectively against those who see the benefits of membership but think that actually being a member in order to use our registered mark, is optional for them.
The rules governing the use of the BSGA logo (which is a registered mark and intellectual property) can be downloaded here rules-logo-misuse