Message From Volkswagen America ("VWoA")
Following are answers to commonly asked questions regarding the use of Volkswagen Trademarks and the Volkswagen Internet Licensing Program. We genuinely hope the public understands the need for us to police and enforce the proper use of our trademarks and trade dress. To protect the value of our trademarks we are obligated to object to and pursue unauthorized uses of our trademarks and trade dress, even if the use of the trademark or trade dress does not appear offensive or objectionable. If we do not do so, we may be deemed under the trademark laws to have abandoned our trademark rights. More information on this issue can be found in our Trademark Policy Statement. 

We thank you for your understanding and support

  1. What is a Limited Trademark License?

  2. Why do I need a License to use Volkswagen�s trademarks?

  3. How can I use Volkswagen Trademarks if I don�t have a License?

  4. Why does Volkswagen care if I have a License?

  5. Why can't I just state that I am not affiliated with Volkswagen?

  6. What are Volkswagen Trademarks?

  7. Once I get a License, what can I do?

  8. If I get a License can I put Volkswagen Trademarks on items such as pens and tee shirts and sell these items?

  9. How do I fill out the License Application?

  10. How will I find out if my License Application is accepted?

  11. Can I reapply for a License if my application is rejected?

  12. What is a Volkswagen Club?

  13. Who is the Club License for, Club Members or the Club itself?

  14. What is a Volkswagen Enthusiast?

  15. If I am a Volkswagen Club member, do I need a Club License or an Enthusiast License?

  16. How much does a License cost?

  17. What happens if I violate the terms of my License?

  18. How long is my License good for?

  19. How do I notify Volkswagen if any of the information I provided in my Application changes such as I got a new email address?

 

1. What is a Limited Trademark License?

A Limited Trademark License is a limited grant of permission to use certain intellectual property owned by another. The person or company to whom the limited permission is given is known as the "Licensee" and the person or company granting the limited permission to use the intellectual property is called the "Licensor." In this case, you would become a Licensee if your application is approved and VWoA is the Licensor.

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2. Why do I need a License to use Volkswagen�s trademarks? 

Volkswagen owns their trademarks and other Intellectual Property and invests a lot of money in promoting and protecting all of it. In order to use this property you need our permission. That permission comes in the form of a License. If you do not have a License, you are not authorized to use any Volkswagen trademarks. If a trademark owner fails to protect its rights to its trademarks, it risks losing those rights. Did you know that "escalator" was once a registered trademark? And so were "aspirin", "trampoline", "refrigerator", "yo yo" and many more! But the companies or people who once owned those trademarks failed to take precautions that would have helped them have a long and prosperous life as registered trademarks.

Please understand that even with the best of intentions, unauthorized use of Volkswagen�s trademarks is against the law and misleading to the general public. For instance, the general public could be mislead in the following manners. First, seeing the distinctive Volkswagen logo on a product or business is an immediate indication that the product or business is authorized by Volkswagen. Second, a product bearing a Volkswagen trademark is an indication that the product is of high quality and has passed Volkswagen's strict quality control procedures and inspections. Third, placing a Volkswagen trademark on a product indicates that Volkswagen, or an authorized agent, is the source of the product, and that the product is genuine and not counterfeit. When the public purchases a product or service sold under a Volkswagen trademark, the public has every right to expect that the product or service is the "real thing." Volkswagen cannot allow individuals or other entities to use our trademarks in a way that creates the appearance that they are affiliated with, sponsored by, or approved by Volkswagen when they are not. 

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3. How can I use Volkswagen Trademarks if I don�t have a License?

Although a business not affiliated with Volkswagen is not permitted to use the Volkswagen trademarks and trade dress in advertising the business' products and services, such a business may advertise that its products and services relate to Volkswagen vehicles or products. Information on the use of our trademarks can be found in our Trademark Usage Guide.

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4. Why does Volkswagen care if I have a License?

Volkswagen cares because it is important to us to be able to exercise control over the quality of the product or service bearing our trademarks. If a disreputable business sells an inferior product or service that uses a Volkswagen trademark, the poor quality of that product or service reflects on Volkswagen. A person who is disappointed by that poor product or service will not take the time to determine whether Volkswagen in fact authorized the use of its trademarks. They will probably assume Volkswagen to be the ultimate source of their disappointment and may transfer their loyalty to a competitor. It does not serve the interest of anyone who loves Volkswagen - whether the company or customers, for people to use Volkswagen's trademarks purely for their own personal, monetary gain, possibly to the detriment of Volkswagen's reputation. 

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5. Why can't I just state that I am not affiliated with Volkswagen?

It is not legally sufficient for someone to state that they are not affiliated with Volkswagen and continue to use Volkswagen trademarks without permission. Use of any Volkswagen trademark, whether through the use of photographs, depictions or silhouettes, or any confusingly similar variation thereof, without Volkswagen's express, written consent, is a violation of Federal and state trademarks laws. (For permissible uses of Volkswagen trademarks under U.S. law, please refer to our Trademark Usage Guide.) 

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6. What are Volkswagen Trademarks?

Among others, Volkswagen claims trademark rights in the name "Volkswagen;" in the initials "VW;" in its distinctive VW logo; in the model names and numbers of Volkswagen automobiles; in its advertising slogans; in the design of the classic Beetle vehicle; and in the design of the New Beetle vehicle. In addition, Volkswagen has trade dress rights in the distinctive shapes of all its vehicles. We strongly urge you to review our Trademark Usage Guide which describes and displays some of Volkswagen trademarks and service marks.

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7. Once I get a License, what can I do?

If Volkswagen grants you a Limited Trademark License, the permitted uses will be described in the License.

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8. If I get a License can I put Volkswagen Trademarks on items such as pens and tee shirts and sell these items?

No. Use of Volkswagen trademarks on products such as clothing, toys, pens, or vehicle accessories requires a different license from Volkswagen AG in Germany. For more information, please send an email to VWTrademarks@vw.com. 

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9. How do I fill out the License Application?

You fill out the License Application by following the step-by-step instructions provided in the Trademark Program section on vw.com. To avoid unnecessary delay or rejection of your Application, please be certain to supply accurate, complete information in your Application. False information will be cause for us to terminate your license and will likely prevent you from obtaining another license in the future.

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10. How will I find out if my License Application is accepted?

Volkswagen will notify you of the acceptance or rejection of your Application at the email address you supplied in your Application form within 30 days of the date you submit your application. 

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11. Can I reapply for a License if my application is rejected?

Yes, you can reapply for a License if your application is rejected. You will be given a User Name and Password which will allow you to modify and resubmit your License Application.

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12. What is a Volkswagen Club?

For purposes of this License, a Volkswagen Club is any non-commercial organization that has as its primary objective a sharing of interests in Volkswagen products, the company and its heritage in a non-commercial manner. Volkswagen Clubs may have a website, but if Volkswagen trademarks are being used, a license will be required even if the Club does not have a website. For the purposes of this Licensing Program, "Non-commercial" means having no functionality to allow for revenue to be generated at the site including, but not limited to, commercial links, advertising of any kind, and shopping carts.

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13. Who is the Club License for, Club Members or the Club itself?

The Club License is for the Club itself. In other words, an officer of the Club who has authority to act on behalf of the Club, should apply for the Club License. Each Club will have only one License.

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14. What is a Volkswagen Enthusiast?

For purposes of this License, a Volkswagen Enthusiast is any individual desiring to promote their interest in Volkswagen products, the company and its heritage on a website in a non-commercial manner. For the purposes of this Licensing Program, "Non-commercial" means having no functionality to allow for revenue to be generated at the site including, but not limited to, commercial links, advertising of any kind, and shopping carts.

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15. If I am a Volkswagen Club member, do I need a Club License or an Enthusiast License?

We understand that VW Club members are also VW Enthusiasts. However, individual Club members should not apply for a Club License. As noted above, the Club License is for the Club itself. If you want to use VW trademarks in a domain name or in the body of your own web site, you should apply for an Enthusiast License.

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16. How much does a License cost? 

The Volkswagen Enthusiast and Club Internet Licensing Program is FREE! The only charge you will be responsible for is the cost of registering and renewing your approved domain name.

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17. What happens if I violate the terms of my License?

Volkswagen will provide you with written notice of the violation and will allow 24 hours for correction. Volkswagen will immediately terminate your License and inactivate your domain name if the violations are not corrected within that time period. Additional actions will be taken against Clubs in violation of their License.

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18. How long is my License good for?

Your License will be good for one year and will be renewed on a yearly basis in Volkwagen�s sole discretion, assuming that you have abided by the terms of the License. Upon termination, your domain name will be deactivated.

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19. How do I notify Volkswagen if any of the information I provided in my Application changes such as I got a new email address?

If any of the information you supplied in your Application changes, you must update your information. You do this by clicking on the "Maintain Your License" button and entering your user name and password you selected. You will then be able to update all your profile. Volkswagen is immediately notified of all changes to your profile for our approval.

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