Frequently Asked Questions for Logo License Request Service

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Question – Why are NOAA and NWS tightening restrictions on use of the NOAA emblem and NWS logo?

Answer – NOAA and NWS are not changing their policies on use of the NOAA emblem or NWS logo. These visual identifiers have always been trademarked symbols and use of the NOAA emblem has always been governed by DAO 201-1 (http://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/dmp/daos/dao201_1.html ). The only change we are making is to implement an easier way for public users to receive permission (i.e., licenses) to use these visual identifiers for the specific uses stated.

2. Question – What do you mean by “unaltered” when you indicate that we can apply for use of the NOAA emblem or NWS logo to identify use of unaltered NWS-produced data/products?

Answer – In general, if you are using NWS data/products in a manner that the data/products are the same or very similar to that provided by NWS itself, then you are providing “unaltered” data/products. For example:

If you repeat, verbatim, the text of an NWS warning on your website or in an alert message to your customers, use of the product is considered to be “unaltered.”
If you changed the format of an NWS graphic from .jpg to .gif, but did not change the visual content of the graphic, the product is considered to be “unaltered.”
If you made a change to the map projection used to display imagery from NWS, the use is considered as “unaltered” because NWS could easily produce the image in that format.
If you are taking an NWS image and combining it with information from other non-NWS sources, removing non-meteorological content, and/or adding graphic overlays or underlays to the display, then the product is NOT considered to be “unaltered.”

A good general guide to follow is to imagine a third party who sees your product with the NOAA emblem or NWS logo and decides to request the original NWS source document directly from NWS. The information contained in your product should be identical to the NWS version.

3. Question – How can I attribute the original source of the data I use to NWS or NOAA even if the display is not considered to be “unaltered?”

Answer – You may, without requesting a license, attribute the source of the original data to NWS or NOAA as along as it is clearly indicated that the data are from NOAA/NWS and not the display (e.g., “Data source: NOAA”). In addition, as required by 17 U.S.C. 403, you cannot copyright the government content within your data/products.

4. Question – I am a member of the media. Do I need to apply for a license to use the NOAA emblem to identify NOAA staff that I include in an interview to be publicly broadcast?

Answer – When the person is speaking in their official capacity, it's fine to use a NOAA emblem or NWS logo to identify a NOAA or NWS spokesperson on air. Our spokespeople represent the agency when they give these interviews and as such, there is no ambiguity in identifying them as agency employees using the emblem or logo. No license is needed. (If you’re not sure whether the interviewee is speaking in an official capacity, ask them to contact their public affairs officer.)

5. Question – Are there restrictions on distribution of my data/products that incorporate the NOAA emblem or NWS logo that I’ve used per an approved license?

Answer – You may freely redistribute your data/products that include the NOAA emblem or NWS logo that you’ve used under an approved license agreement. However, as required by 17 U.S.C. 403, you cannot copyright the government content within your data/products.