The Rules Behind Retailer Logos

Hey, guys! Killjoy Carrie here, ready to rain on your parade. ;)

You’ve seen the use of retailer logos everywhere—author websites, teaser images, advertisements, etc. But how many of them are actually in compliance? Let's find out!

AMAZON EXAMPLE

 A quick visit to Amazon's website lays down the law:

"By using any Amazon device brand materials you agree to the Brand Use Terms and Conditions, and you must:

1. Follow our Trademark Guidelines.
2. Follow our Marketing Guidelines.
3. Obtain our pre-approval for your creative using this form."

Whoa! Pre-approval‽

Don't worry. The third rule comes with a loophole for those of us with digital media available for Amazon devices. We don't have to seek pre-approval—which often needs to be renewed once a year, anyway—so long as we add the Tagging and Framing Guidelines to our compliance list, as well as the Logo Guidelines.

What, pray tell, do those guidelines involve? Behold!

"You may tag your product to demonstrate that it is available for an Amazon device without obtaining Amazon's approval of the use, if you comply with the following requirements:

1. Your product works on the Amazon device and is available for purchase on Amazon.

2. You must use an Amazon-provided logo file (two-color and one-color logos available in the Logo Gallery).

3. You must include 'Available for ___' or 'Available on ___' above or to the side of the Amazon device logo. (Approved badges can be found in the Third-Party Image Gallery)

By using any Amazon device brand materials you agree to the Brand Use Terms and Conditions."

There are other stipulations for TV and radio, but these are the three that will affect most of you. Manageable, right?

Now, when you do include a logo above or to the side of your availability spiel, you have a few more rules to follow:

FYI: The above image is considered fair use, as the public reaps benefits from my review, which is enhanced by including the material. It’s also factual in nature, and I’m not making any money from it.

There you go! You are now law-abiding citizens of the Internet. :)

Question of the Week

Have you been using retailer logos correctly?