Guidelines for Using Collectors’ Trademarks
Collectors Universe, Inc. (“Collectors”), including through its Professional Sports Authenticator (“PSA”) and Professional Coin Grading Service (“PCGS”) divisions, and various other subsidiaries, owns and operates numerous trademarks and brands, including the PSA name, logos, its signature red and blue borders, and PCGS name and logo (collectively, “Collectors Marks”). The Collectors Marks are valuable to Collectors’ business and are protected and enforced by Collectors on an international basis.
These guidelines do not represent a license or right of any kind to use any Collectors Mark. In order to use any Collectors Mark you must have a signed, written license from Collectors. For those authorized licensees, these guidelines provide proper guidance around how to use Collectors Marks.
1. External Brand Use Guidelines.
1.1 Proper Use of Collectors Marks.
a. All uses of Collectors Marks by a third party must be an accurate representation of such third party’s relationship with Collectors and must comply with applicable laws, these guidelines, and any additional written brand guidelines sent by Collectors (including any PSA or PCGS brand guidelines, as applicable).
b. Third parties may not use, modify or alter any Collectors Mark or associated brand assets without a valid, written license agreement executed by Collectors which expressly permits such use, modification, and/or alteration.
1.2 Permissible Uses.
a. Any published advertising and marketing materials or products that reference a Collectors Mark shall include a ® or TM symbol, as applicable. If you do not know whether to use a ® or TM symbol, contact [email protected].
b. Individual card or item owners may publicly display Collectors Marks as part of images or descriptions of items posted online for personal use (including in marketplace or auction listings).
c. Authorized PSA or PCGS dealers may be granted a limited license to certain Collectors Marks as part of their executed dealer agreements. Without limiting any restrictions contained therein, PSA or PCGS dealers may only use the version of the applicable logo sent to such dealer in writing and all such uses must be solely in the context of stating that such dealer is an “Authorized PSA dealer” or “Authorized PCGS dealer” as applicable, and without stating that there is any further sponsorship by, or relationship with, PSA or PCGS. Authorized PSA or PCGS dealers or other licensees of any Collectors Marks should consult their applicable agreements with Collectors for additional guidelines that may apply to their uses of any Collectors Marks.
1.3 Prohibited Use Cases. Do not, without express written authorization from an authorized representative of Collectors:
(a) Use Collectors Marks in any manner that could confuse consumers or imply a false association with Collectors (e.g., implying endorsement or sponsorship without permission) or any division thereof or in a manner that is untruthful or would be reasonably likely to defame or disparage any person or entity;
(b) Register any domain names, social media handles, or any online identifiers that include any Collectors Mark or attempt to register or apply for any trademark or copyright that includes or makes reference to any Collectors Mark; and/or
(c) Copy, modify, or alter any Collectors Mark in any way, including through modifications to their shape, color, or design as compared to any files sent to you, including any applicable brand guidelines.
2. Enforcement.
2.1 Legal Action. Misappropriation of a Collectors Mark may cause confusion in the trading card or coin collecting communities. Collectors expressly reserves the right to take legal action against any party that violates these guidelines. Infringement, misappropriation, or dilution of any Collectors Mark may result in Collectors taking actions including, but not limited to, sending cease-and-desist letters, filing legal complaints, and claiming damages in either case. Failure to enforce any Collectors Mark at any point does not represent a waiver of any rights that Collectors may have to enforce its intellectual property rights.
2.2 Policy Updates. Collectors reserves the right to update these guidelines from time to time, without notice to any third parties. You are responsible for regularly reviewing these guidelines.
2.3 Policy Questions. For any questions regarding these guidelines or the appropriate use of any Collectors Mark, please contact [email protected].
3. Media Inquiries. For any questions from members of the media that relate to PSA or any related brand, please contact Caden Kinard ([email protected]). For any questions from members of the media that relate to PCGS or any related brand, please contact Heather Boyd at [email protected].