PCC Management Insights

“Staying in the Know”

Use of PCC Logo and other Postal Service Intellectual Property
(July 2009)

The Postal Service brand is much more than a logo or a word. It’s the sum of all the tangible and intangible characteristics in verbal and visual messaging that makes Postal Service products and services unique to consumers, employees and other stakeholders. The brand is not only the image that the Postal Service projects but also how customers perceive the Postal Service.

The Postal Service and the PCCs must protect the legal interests that the Postal Service has in the PCC logo and in other Postal Service intellectual property, such as the Postal Service Corporate Signature, by following the Postal Service Postal Customer Council Graphic Guidelines, as well as the Publication 286 (03/07 version) rules, both of which are available at www.usps.com/pcc.

Every PCC should take time to review with its membership the Graphic Guidelines.  The Graphic Guidelines are not just written rules about usage of the PCC logo. The Graphic Guidelines contain illustrations of, and templates for, exactly how the logo can be used on letters, on envelopes,  and on shirts, hats and souvenir items.  The Graphic Guidelines also contain valuable information on PCC web site standards.
In general, all PCC publications, mailings, materials, and other communication media, including individual PCC web sites that are linked to www.usps.com/pcc, must be consistent in theme and purpose with the PCC Mission and are subject to approval by the local PCC Executive Board.  Additionally, PCC materials must:  (1) be consistent with the Postal Service’s intent to maintain neutrality on religious, social, political, legal, moral or other public issues; (2) not be obscene, deceptive, or defamatory of any person, entity, or group, nor advocate unlawful action; and (3) not harm the public image, reputation, or good will of the Postal Service nor otherwise be derogatory or detrimental to the interests of the Postal Service.  Any questions about whether a proposed publication is consistent with this policy must be referred to the PCC Program office.
PCCs shall not, without the prior written permission and consent of the Postal Service, use any Postal Service intellectual property, including, but not limited to, the use of trademarks, service marks, logos, icons, trade names, trade dress, and materials subject to copyright protection, including, text, content, illustrations, photographs, stamps, and other images, owned by the Postal Service or originating from a Postal Service source.  PCCs may use the PCC logo on a limited number of materials pursuant to a license provided in the Graphic Guidelines.  However, PCCs must seek permission to use all other Postal Service intellectual property, such as the Postal Service Corporate Signature, from USPS Rights and Permissions, which can be found at: http://www.usps.com/rightsandpermissions/

All of the PCCs should maintain a practice of properly using and displaying the PCC logo and must avoid using other Postal Service intellectual property without first obtaining permission as required.  Please refer to the Graphic Guidelines and the Publication 286 (03/07 version) for more detailed instructions.  If you have questions, please the PCC Program Office at PCC@usps.gov.

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