Use of " Dolby® Digital", not logo?

prairiedogpics wrote on 6/22/2004, 6:40 AM

I'm going to sell a DVD that has ac-3 audio rendered from Vegas 5. Can I indicate on the DVD that the audio is " Dolby® Digital" without obtaining a Trademark and Standardization Agreement (TSA)? I've been reading over Dolby's website, and I know I can't use the logo without permission, but what about just " Dolby® Digital"?

From their site:
You may refer to Dolby Laboratories' products and services by their associated Dolby trademarks and service marks (but not logos), so long as such references (a) are truthful, fair, and not misleading, and (b) comply with the guidelines below, which may be modified by Dolby from time to time at Dolby's sole discretion.

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Do not make unlicensed use of Dolby's trademarks and logos. Most third-party use of Dolby trademarks and logos requires a licensing agreement.
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If you are interested in obtaining a license to use a Dolby mark or logo on encoded content, you will need to complete a Trademark and Standardization Agreement (TSA).
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If you are interested in including a Dolby logo in an advertisement for a product displaying a Dolby logo, please contact trademarks@Dolby.co

and then...

A trademark should not be abbreviated.

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Correct:
Dolby® Digital Surround EX™
Dolby® Digital
Pro Logic

Dan

Comments

donp wrote on 6/22/2004, 6:58 AM

I have a license from Dolby to use the logo, didn't cost anything as I don't sell anything yet. I think they may allow to charge 50 copies of a DVD r so before you have to begin paying for the license. I havn't been at the web site in a while so I'm not completely sure on this. They specified font size and only sent the logo's I could use.

farss wrote on 6/22/2004, 7:12 AM

I believe from someone else's post they'll even give you the Dolby promo to put on the front of your DVD. You have paid for the licence, why not make the most of it?

ro_max wrote on 6/22/2004, 9:56 AM

I tried twice to get Dolby to send me the application for the TSA. No dice. No reaction of any kind. Somehow, I kinda expected more.

prairiedogpics wrote on 6/22/2004, 10:43 AM

(no malice intended here, but I'm always a little amazed at how answers given to a thread's original question often don't answer, or even address, the original question...I don't think people read the actual question but read the question they want to answer...).

To clarify,

I don't have a license for Dolby's logo. I don't want a license. All I want to know is whether I can use the phrase " Dolby® Digital" on my DVD case cover without a TSA. I've emailed Dolby, but no response.

BTW: Use of Dolby's logo is royalty free. From their site: "These agreements (Trademark and Standardization Agreements) are royalty-free, but a separate agreement must be signed for each technology prior to use of the corresponding Dolby trademark."..."If you use Dolby Digital technology in a DVD project, then you may be eligible to display the Dolby Digital logo on your product after obtaining a TSA."

Jay Gladwell wrote on 6/22/2004, 10:52 AM

Dan, I spoke on the telephone with a representative in Dolby's licensing department several months ago with the same question. She told me there would be no problem using the "Dolby® Digital" and I have been since that time, since I'm using licensed software that creates a Dobly Digital sound track.

."If you use Dolby Digital technology in a DVD project, then you may be eligible to display the Dolby Digital logo on your product after obtaining a TSA."

Actually, you have to submit an audio sample of the sound track, which they test, to make certain it meets their standards. Only then can you use the Dolby logo on the DVDs and in advertrising. Seems fair enough.

FWIW, this is one of those times when e-mail is not the best way to approach a company the size of Dolby.

[EDIT] I went back and pulled the paper work for the Dolby Trademark Standardization Agreement. Her name was Laura Guy, Intellectual Property Licensing Specialist. The phone number is 415-558-0200.

Jay