As has been previously announced, the SA logo (gender symbols on a circle) appearing on our literature is a trademark, registered with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office. In future reprintings of SA literature and letterheads, the TM symbol will be changed to the R symbol, indicating the mark is now duly registered. Due to current legal issues and to safeguard SA’s principles and interests, the marks SA, Sexaholics Anonymous, and Essay have also been registered.
To prevent our marks from being put to risk, we must ask that our SA logo, as well as these marks, not be used on printed matter without prior written permission from the Central Office. This includes, for example, use of ESSAY, E.S.S.A.Y., Essay, or Essay on such things as local meeting directories, convention flyers, stationery, printed or copied material, etc. Such use without permission implies, for example, that the publication carrying that title authoritatively represents the Essay or Sexaholics Anonymous as a whole.
The sole exception to the foregoing is that it is permissible to use the letters SA or the words Sexaholics Anonymous, but not the logo or Essay, on meeting directories, bulletins, or intergroup newsletters as part of the title. Any excerpts of SA literature in any printed matter would require prior written permission, however.
In legal terms, “use of our marks without permission constitutes trademark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution under federal and state law.” Our legal counsel (the same firm used by AA) says she is glad to see SA take hold of its marks and copyrights early on to hopefully avoid problems such as AA and NA have been having in the last few years with their marks and copyrights. Far from seemingly placing an unnecessary burden on groups, we are told, a policy of care and caution now will save untold confusion and legal fees in years to come.
So far, most groups and intergroups have found ways of working within these guidelines, and for that we are truly grateful. If there are any questions, don’t hesitate to call or write the Central Office. When in doubt, please contact the CO.
