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Use of the Service Mark
 Protecting
Girl Scout Marks
Introduction: Purpose of the Product Identity Guidelines
If "a picture is worth a thousand words," then
the images contained on every Girl Scout product continue
to send messages to the general public long after an event
or project has ended. Accordingly, the appearance of every
item should serve to enhance Girl Scouting's brand voice,
not distract from it.
We all need to ask what messages our products and their
designs convey to Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts. Does the
product and its design strengthen the Girl Scout brand voice?
Do the graphics reflect Girl Scouting's commitment to diversity?
Do the graphics help girls everywhere to feel that they have
a place in Girl Scouting?
It is in our best interest to have the Girl Scout name
appear in the public view as often as possible. Girl Scout
marks and insignia should be used on a regular and consistent
basis to strengthen our image and to identify local Girl
Scout councils and their activities to the general public.
Girl Scouts USA has designed specific guidelines to use
when publishing materials using the Girl Scout Service Mark,
trademark, artwork and copyrighted phrases. See your Leader's
Digest, Blue Book
of Basic Documents, and Graphic Guidelines.
Common Terms
Brand Image: Refers to how the public perceives who
we are and what we stand for.
Brand Repositioning: Focuses on transforming a previous defined image or perception
to make it more relevant or compelling to the audience.
Brand
Relevance: Allows target audience to feel connected to the
messaging, imagery, and other vital elements associated with
the GS name.
Service Mark
A few guidelines to follow:
- The Girl Scout Service Mark is composed
of two parts, the symbol (the trefoil with three profiles)
and the logotype (the words "Girl Scouts", along
with the registration mark). Both parts of the Service
Mark MUST be used together.
- When placing the Service Mark near another
logo, be sure to use a version close in size and aspect
to that of the other logo. The service marks should be
placed side by side and not one above the other.
- The Service Mark and Council name should
be used at all times to help identify Girl Scouting
- The Service Mark may never be redrawn,
or modified in any way. The logotype must always be in
the same proportion to the symbol. A bit-matted or artist's
rendering of the Service Mark is not permitted. Use of
the symbol without the logotype and the use of the Service
Mark as a design element is not permitted.
- The Service Mark may not be used as
part of a design or be the subject of a wallpaper pattern.
When using the Service Mark on a Web site, it may not flash,
blink, or change colors in any way; it may not be used
as an icon or button, and it may not be animated.
- Using an outline of the Girl Scout service
mark without the profiles is not authorized for use on
products or merchandise.
- Check to see whether drawings, photographs,
other graphics, logos, themes or slogans proposed for any
designs are copyrighted. Written permission must be obtained
from the copyright owners before incorporating any of these
elements into your product designs.
List of Girl Scout Marks:
The Girl Scout name and official Girl Scout service mark
are just two of the many marks (trademarks and service marks)
owned by Girl Scouts of the USA. Other protected marks include
words, insignia, emblems and shapes exclusively associated
with the Girl Scouts such as the following:
Words and Phrases
- Girl Scouts
- Girl Scouting
- Daisy Girl Scout
- Brownie Girl Scout
- Junior Girl Scout
- Cadette Girl Scout
- Senior Girl Scout
- STUDIO 2B
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Girl Scout Cookie Sale
- Just4Girls
- GirlSports
- USA Girl Scouts Overseas
- Campus Girl Scouts
- WINGS (Women INvesting in Girl Scouting)
- Girl Scouts.Where Girls Grow Strong.
- Girl Scouting: For Every Girl, Everywhere
Insignia & Emblems
- Daisy Girl Scout
- Brownie Girl Scout (elf)
- Contemporary Girl Scout pin
- Traditional Girl Scout pin
- Lifetime Membership pin
- Girl Scout Gold Award
- Girl Scout Silver Award
- Girl Scout Bronze Award
- Thanks Badge I and II
- All Girl Scout insignia and emblems;
Try-Its, earned badges, interest project patches
- All Girl Scout uniforms, uniform components,
and fabrics
Shapes
- Trefoil shape
- Triangle shape of Brownie Girl Scout
Try-It
- Round shape of Junior Girl Scout proficiency
badges
- Rectangle shapes of interest project
patches
- Oval shape of troop crests
The trademarks, service marks, and symbols owned by Girl
Scouts of the USA are protected by law for use on or in connection
with goods and services of every kind. GSUSA is legally obliged
to protect and monitor their use in order to safeguard them.
Because the use of a Girl Scout symbol or mark may imply
endorsement by or affiliation with Girl Scouts of the USA,
permission must be granted in each and every instance before
it can be used.
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FAQ's About Girl Scout Symbols
Q: What about the use of symbols and recognitions?
A: The following symbols are trademarked by GSUSA: Girl Scout logo,
all Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its, all Girl Scout badges, and all Girl
Scout interest project patches, the "five worlds" symbols,
official pins and recognitions.
Q: Are there guidelines for the use of these symbols?
A: Yes, they may not be used without authorization from Girl Scouts
of the U.S.A. Special permission may be granted to Girl Scout troops wishing
to use the Girl Scout logo on their Web pages. This requires special placement
of the logo on a solid colored background. It may not be incorporated into
another graphic or used as wallpaper or buttons. Go to the Logos
and Graphics page to download images for your troop or service
unit site.
Q: If I have used Girl Scout trademarked symbols and haven't followed
the guidelines, what should I do?
A: Change your design.
Q: Why get excited about the misuse of Girl Scout symbols?
A: GSUSA must protect the integrity of its trademarks and their
use. If they are misused, they no longer send a clear message about
who we are. If they are used with a product, people may assume that
GSUSA endorses that product. If they are used without permission,
they may used in an inappropriate way.
Q: What about using artwork from Girl Scout books?
A: Artwork is also protected by copyright laws. More important,
it may be owned by the artist. Even Girl Scouts of the USA doesn't
always have permission to reproduce it.
Sites for graphics and clip art
There are many sites on the Web maintained by companies and individuals that
offer free graphics for use by individuals and non-profit organizations that
are constructing Web sites. It is important to read the legal requlations
and special instructions for downloading from each site that you visit.
Newsletters
Producing a troop/group or service unit newsletter is an excellent
way of letting parents and the community know what your group is doing.
- You should leave a 1/2" border around each
edge of the paper for printing purposes.
- Black ink is preferred when printing your flyers.
Pencils, colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc. will not print clearly.
- No scotch tape or liquid glue; use a glue stick
or photo mount to paste artwork- this prevents puckers in the paper.
No back-to-back paste-ups. Submit single pages only for copying.
Flyers
What to put on flyers:
- Who: Girl Scout troops, service units, etc.
- What: Event, what for
- When: Date, Time
- Where: Place and Directions
- Cost: If any and what cost includes
- How: Transportation
- What to Bring
To make an attractive flyer:
- Keep it neat and simple
- Use art work or graphics
- Please type it, don't hand write it
- Erase or white-out all mistakes
- Use a black pen to darken areas
- use the Girl Scout Service Mark correctly
- include a name and phone number of the person in
charge or designated person for further information
Duplicating services are available at the Service Center for more
than 100 or more flyers for Service Units. Submit a service unit copy
request form in advance.
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Girl Scout logo sheet, and a CD with Girl Scout logos and
clip art are available at the service center. Contact Paulette
Clay, ext. 223 for more information.
If you have any questions about designing and printing newsletters, flyers,
web pages, or other materials, please ask before you begin!
Staff advisors are available for assistance, with prior appointment.
All copy submitted for printing must be proof-read and approved
prior to printing.
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