The International Olympic Committee and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games have set out very strict rules about what businesses are allowed and not allowed to do during the Games. These have been introduced in order to protect the rights of the official sponsors. Here is a brief guide:

• You can not include the Olympics - or any reference to it - in adverts or advertorial. However, mentioning the Olympics in editorial is allowed.


• If your advert is honest and accurate it is allowed. For instance if your whiskey was distilled in London 2012 - and you mention this in your advert - this is a fact and therefore acceptable.


• Group 1: Any combination of two or more of these words can be classified as an infringement: games, two thousand and twelve, 2012, twenty twelve


• Group 2: Any combination of Group 1 expressions with one of more of the following can be classified as an infringement: gold, silver, bronze, London, medals, sponsors, summer


• You are not allowed to use the following words and images in your marketing:
• Olympics
• LOCOG
• Javelin
• Team GB
• Get Set
• Games Maker
• Image of the London skyline with 2012, Games etc.
• Images of sport (e.g. someone running) with 2012, London, Games etc.
• Image of the 5 rings (or use the colours together)
• An example of what you can and cannot do: an unbranded chalk board outside a pub during the Games saying words to the effect of 'Big screen inside to watch the Olympics' is unlikely to infringe the law. However, a pre-sent branded pack of promotional material distributed to all customers promoting watching the Olympics in your establishment could be considered as an infringement.


• For more information see LOCOG's Brand Protection - what you need to know PDF (click here) and LOCOG's Brand Protection - London 2012's UK statutory marketing rights PDF (click here)