The graphic design and textual content of the slogan, which has been extensively used as part of a recruitment drive since April, has been registered in the Trademark Register of the Patent Board of the Republic of Latvia "in order to ensure its appropriate use" said a release. As a visit to the register confirms, that is indeed the case.
"In April of this year, the National Guard launched the initiative 'My Latvia. My responsibility.' So far, the initiative has gained wide support both in local governments and educational institutions, as well as in state institutions and institutions. Businesses have also been involved in the initiative, both by producing souvenirs with the motif's graphic symbol and by using it in the design and communication of their products,” said the National Guard.
The visual motif – chunky double-stacked text with a Latvian flag – was created by the artist and national guardsman Krišs Salmanis.
The text is often quoted with double periods/full stops (My Latvia. My responsibility.'), including in the National Guard's announcement, effectively creating two brief sentences. It is also possible to read the Latvian flag as a cleverly stylised 'em dash' or 'long hyphen' (My Latvia – my responsibility'). However the official graphics supplied by the National Guard take a less punctuated form and dispense with any suggestion of periods or hyphens.
Nevertheless, the National Guard urged users of its trademarked phrase and graphic to do so correctly and with suitable attention to detail.
"The National Guard invites you to respect the design created by the author of the graphic symbole - the font and placement of the letters in one, two or four lines with the representation of the Latvian flag between the words "Latvija" and "responsibility". You should also take into account the restrictions on the use of a graphic symbol – do not change the graphic form, do not make it difficult to read when using the trademark on a variegated background, do not change the colors of the flag and do not add unnecessary effects," stated a National Guard release.
"The National Guard, as the owner of the trademark, has the right to prohibit the use of the trademark if it believes that the use of the trademark may harm the idea and goals of the guiding principle," it warned, adding that "The trademark may not be used for political and pre-election campaigning, including being used together with the graphic signs of a political party or their association, as well as voter associations. Likewise, the graphic sign may not be used in connection with tobacco, alcohol, gambling, instant loan products and in connection with goods and services that discredit it or may harm the motto "My Latvia. My responsibility.”
However, merchants can use this trademark free of charge as long as they conclude an agreement with the National Guard and adhere to its usage rules.
Official images and templates can be found at https://ej.uz/manaatbildība
