How to Stay Compliant this Olympic Games

It’s almost time for Australians to come together and collectively cheer on our athletes as they compete in the Olympic Games in Paris.

As meeting places for the community to come together and celebrate major events, NSW clubs will be welcoming patrons through the doors to cheer on our Aussie Green and Gold contingent. 

It’s important, however, to understand the very particular set of rules that govern how the Olympic Games are promoted to patrons. 

These rules are contained in Australian legislation under the Olympic Insignia Protection Act 1987 (CTH). Under this law, the Australian Olympic Committee owns the copyright and design rights in the Olympic Ring Symbol.

It also owns the right to control the commercial use of “protected Olympic expressions” including Olympic, Olympics, Olympic Games, Olympiad and Olympiads.

Using a protected Olympic expression will infringe the legislation if the expression is applied to goods or services for promotional purposes, which would suggest to a reasonable person that you are a sponsor of, or provide sponsorship-like support, to the Australian Olympic Committee, International Olympic Committee, the Australian Olympic Team or Organising Committee. 

Put simply, you must be mindful of this legislation if your club is intending to market that your venue is screening the Olympic Games.

From a practical point of view, it’s suggested phrases such as ‘watch Australian athletes compete on the world stage’ is preferable to specifically using the words ‘Olympic Games.’

It’s also recommended that venues avoid phrases such as ‘home of the Olympic Games’ and steer clear of promotions such as ‘Olympic Gold Medal Deals’.

Olympic LIVE Sites

Venues, including clubs, are encouraged to register to become official LIVE sites for the Olympic Games.

By becoming an official live site, venues have the opportunity to share the spirit of the Games by working collaboratively with the Australian Olympic Committee.

Clubs that successfully register to become a LIVE site will be listed as an official LIVE venue on the Australian Olympic Committee website and will be supplied various marketing collateral.

To find out more about registering to become an official LIVE site, click here.

If your club has officially registered as a LIVE site, please let our team know at [email protected]