Businesses need permission to use national symbols on logos
The justice ministry has given businesses until 31 May 2019 to submit their requests.
The ministry of justice has called on businesses using national symbols in their logos to apply for authorisation in order to avoid contravening the law.
Businesses that make use of a portion of the national symbols such as the national flag or coat of arms should send a request via email with a picture of the logo attached and apply for authorisation of use, the minister of justice, Sacky Shangala, said in parliament on Tuesday.
The application will be compiled and the necessary proclamations for signature by the president, pending authorisation of use, will be prepared, Shangala said while speaking about the application of the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018 (Act 17 of 2018), which regulates the uses of national symbols.
Shanghala explained that for any depiction that closely resembles a national symbol in connection with any trade, business, profession or occupation, or in connection with any mark or description likely to cause confusion with the Namibian government, approval must be obtained from the president.
Exceptions
“Individuals that make use of the national flag at sporting events; businesses that play the national anthem at conferences; and printing the national flag on T-shirts, to name but a few examples, do not fall within the ambit of the acts and require no action from the public,” he said.
The minister further explained that in addition to the Act of 2018 is the Merchandise Marks Act of 1941, which states that before goods with the national flag or coat of arms are produced, they must be approved by the president.
However, T-shirts or shoes with the Namibian flag on them do not fall under the requirements of the Merchandise Marks Act of 1941, nor the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018.
The ministry has given businesses until 31 May 2019 to submit their requests.
“Failure to comply with the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018 will, upon conviction, lead to a fine of N$50 000 or to a period of imprisonment for up to five years,” Shanghala said. - Nampa
Businesses that make use of a portion of the national symbols such as the national flag or coat of arms should send a request via email with a picture of the logo attached and apply for authorisation of use, the minister of justice, Sacky Shangala, said in parliament on Tuesday.
The application will be compiled and the necessary proclamations for signature by the president, pending authorisation of use, will be prepared, Shangala said while speaking about the application of the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018 (Act 17 of 2018), which regulates the uses of national symbols.
Shanghala explained that for any depiction that closely resembles a national symbol in connection with any trade, business, profession or occupation, or in connection with any mark or description likely to cause confusion with the Namibian government, approval must be obtained from the president.
Exceptions
“Individuals that make use of the national flag at sporting events; businesses that play the national anthem at conferences; and printing the national flag on T-shirts, to name but a few examples, do not fall within the ambit of the acts and require no action from the public,” he said.
The minister further explained that in addition to the Act of 2018 is the Merchandise Marks Act of 1941, which states that before goods with the national flag or coat of arms are produced, they must be approved by the president.
However, T-shirts or shoes with the Namibian flag on them do not fall under the requirements of the Merchandise Marks Act of 1941, nor the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018.
The ministry has given businesses until 31 May 2019 to submit their requests.
“Failure to comply with the National Symbols of the Republic of Namibia Act of 2018 will, upon conviction, lead to a fine of N$50 000 or to a period of imprisonment for up to five years,” Shanghala said. - Nampa
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article