- Author: Robert W. Sams
Yesterday, I got an email from a county advisor with an excellent question. The question was, "Can I post a PDF file from another site if they insist that we post their logo, too? They don't charge anything?"
There were other requirements as well, but most were not a problem, such as no changes to the file, full credit to the source, no commercial sale, etc.
The logo requirement was a major problem.
The company required that their corporate logo appear close to the item on our advisor's web site. In addition, they required either a link to their site or that the logo itself be a click-through button to their site.
While there is vigorous discussion at many levels in UC and in ANR about logo's on our web sites as recognition for our cooperators and sponsors, the current situation is pretty simple.
Don't do it.
Text acknowledgments are okay, but no logos and no links.
This might change soon, but for now, UC legal folks are concerned that in some cases, links with logos have been found to constitute paid advertising and that puts the tax status of UC at risk.
We realize that this seems arbitrary and are working to expand policy and establish guidelines for when and how this can be done.
One very cogent comment on this problem from a specialist was, "What's the difference between a line of text and a logo?"
It's a great question and worth discussion.
The simple answer is.....
Companies wouldn't spend millions on logos and branding if there was no difference between their brand and a line of text.
What do you think about logos on ANR websites? What about links?
Bob Sams