As one of the nation’s top law enforcement organizations, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is recognized as a national leader when it comes to traffic enforcement, training, and investigations. The Patrol is now set to become a leader in the virtually untapped area of law enforcement trademarking, and product and collectible licensing.
In the near future, the Patrol will unveil its new Trademark Licensing Program, and become one of only a handful of law enforcement agencies to closely regulate and monitor the use of its name and mark.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol insignia/logo became a registered trademark/servicemark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in February 2000. The Patrol’s famous flying wheel symbol, when used in conjunction with any combinations of the words “Ohio State Highway Patrol,” is now protected under United States trademark laws.
In simple terms this means any use of the Patrol’s logo/emblem, except those uses outlined in the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, and Division rules & regulations, policies and procedures, must be licensed.
Why is it so important, after being in existence for 67 years, to protect the Patrol’s image commercially?
Foremost, licensing allows the Patrol to have complete control over its logo/emblem and image. The Division will have final say over use of the Patrol logo on merchandise, and use of the Patrol image in television and film productions. The Ohio State Highway Patrol logo has appeared in a number of television programs and film productions.
Licensing offers a critically effective public relations tool used by countless businesses, universities, and other organizations worldwide such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to protect the use of their image. Revenue generated through licensing can be used for a wide range of public education efforts.
To find an example of how a licensing program can effectively support public education initiatives, one need look no further than the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP began a product licensing program in 1995, and in four years had over 40 manufacturers signed on and producing licensed merchandise. Sales of RCMP licensed goods generates royalties which are distributed into community policing projects across Canada. While the RCMP success may be larger than anything we will see with OSHP licensed products, it certainly demonstrates the great potential and upside of a licensing program.
The Division’s licensing program will also be valued by its internal and external customers for its commitment to quality, efficiency, innovation, creativity, fairness, and integrity. The Patrol’s Trademark Licensing Program will establish management of the commercial use of the Patrol name and identifying symbol, providing protection of the Patrol’s name and image. A major component of this will be the operation of a licensing program to include such items as products, services, films, videos, etc., utilizing the Patrol name and registered mark. Only OSHP licensed entities will be authorized to utilize the OSHP logo/emblem for commercial purposes. The registration symbol, ®, must appear in the lower right portion of the OSHP logo/emblem after proper licensing approval is obtained.
By ensuring that products bearing the Patrol’s mark are of high quality and good taste, the Patrol will further protect their reputation as one of the nation’s finest law enforcement organizations. Proper use of the Patrol’s name can also stimulate public awareness and support of many of the Division’s public education initiatives.
In general terms, here is how the licensing program will work.
In order for an item bearing the registered Patrol trademark to be utilized a manufacturer will enter into a licensing agreement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Under terms of a license agreement, the Patrol, upon review and recommendation of a designated Logo/Emblem Trademark/Servicemark Review Board, will approve the licensing of entities which apply to utilize the OSHP logo/emblem, as well as the products or other commercial purposes.
A royalty rate of a percentage of the wholesale selling price for all licensees will support Highway Patrol public education efforts.
In the final analysis, registering the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s logo/emblem will allow the Division to have regulatory protection over the Division’s image and ensure Ohio remains recognized as a leader in public service and excellence.
Organizations interested in the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Trademark Licensing Program should contact the division's Public Affairs Unit at 614-752-2792.