A statement of the NA Fellowship's policy on the reprinting of copyrighted NA recovery literature and the use of registered NA trademarks and service marks by NA groups, service boards, and committees

This policy was approved by the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous as given voice by its groups through their regional service representatives at the World Service Conference on April 27, 1993. It is applicable as of May 1, 1993. It was amended at the World Service Conference in 1997 and 1998. It supercedes all previous policies pertaining to the use of copyrighted literature and registered trademarks and service marks by NA groups, service boards, and committees.

The Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust (FIPT) describes in detail how NA's name, trademarks, and recovery literature are protected and administered by Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc (NAWS). It covers NA’s name, trademarks and recovery literature in all forms, including translations, and all mediums, whether printed, electronic and any other media that may be developed in the future. Additional guidelines, contained in this and the other Intellectual Property Bulletins, for the use of NA's intellectual properties by the fellowship are presented as an adjunct to the FIPT. The guidelines are based partly on legal considerations and partly on the nature of NA. By following these simple steps, the fellowship will help ensure that NA's name, trademarks, and recovery literature will always be available to fulfill our primary purpose.

All matters not specifically addressed by the following guidelines will be considered under the conditions of the Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust. Any questions or concerns about this policy should be directed to NA's World Service Office.

This Bulletin reflects the policy affecting the use of NA intellectual property within the NA Fellowship. Use of the fellowships trademarks and recovery literature is a commitment to comply with these Guidelines. Usage inconsistent with the Guidelines is improper. Usage disputes are dealt with in Intellectual Property Bulletin #5.

Use by NA groups
These Guidelines outline the appropriate uses of NA logos and recovery literature by NA groups. The Guidelines also lay out criteria a group can use to avoid improper use. A description of the NA group--its nature, function, and role in the NA Fellowship--can be found in current NA service manuals. You are encouraged to review those sections describing groups prior to attempting use of the Guidelines described below.

Use by NA service boards and committees
Service boards and committees created directly or indirectly by NA groups may use NA logos and recovery literature in the ways described in these guidelines so long as they register with NA's World Service Office.

Use by individual NA members or others
This policy does not grant individual NA members or those outside NA permission to use NA intellectual property. Individual NA members or others who wish to use NA's trademarks or copyrighted recovery literature should write directly to NA's World Service Office.

GUIDELINES FOR USE OF NA TRADEMARKS
Three of the NA Fellowship's registered trademarks are used quite frequently: the name "Narcotics Anonymous," the stylized NA initials, and the diamond in a circle, all shown below:

Narcotics Anonymous trademarks should not be used in any way that would serve to endorse, finance, promote, or affiliate the NA Fellowship with any outside enterprise.

Narcotics Anonymous trademarks should not be used in conjunction with any law enforcement, political, medical, or religious slogans, themes, or other related materials.

Narcotics Anonymous trademarks should not be used or displayed in such a manner as to possibly offend or disrespect the sensibilities of other groups or NA as a whole.

Narcotics Anonymous trademarks should not be used in a manner that could draw us into public controversy.

Narcotics Anonymous trademarks should not be used on locally developed recovery literature.

"NA Fellowship Approved" trademark
The "NA Fellowship Approved" trademark is used to indicate that a piece of recovery literature has been approved by the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous as given voice by its groups through their regional service representatives at the World Service Conference. The "NA Fellowship Approved" trademark may not be used on any other materials.

Narcotics Anonymous World Services is largely dependent on the income generated from the sale of NA recovery literature. This income is used to cover the costs of publishing as well as the expenses associated with other services provided to the World Service Conference and the NA Fellowship-at-large. A large part of NA World Services' income comes from NA groups who purchase recovery literature to distribute at their meetings. Many groups consider their purchase of NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature as one way in which they contribute to the unity and growth of NA as a whole.

Use by NA groups
As a general rule, no one has the authority to reproduce NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature without prior permission from Narcotics Anonymous World Services. However, given the nature of our fellowship, our experience indicates that NA groups and only NA groups should have the authority to reproduce fellowship-approved recovery literature in certain instances. When preparing to reproduce NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature, NA groups discuss the Fourth Tradition and follow all of these general guidelines:

1. An NA group should only reproduce NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature when it has a clear need to do so.

2. NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature reproduced by an NA group should be distributed only within that group. Such materials should always be given away free of charge; they should never be sold to generate income.

3. The text of NA Fellowship-approved books and pamphlets reproduced by an NA group should not be altered or modified in any way.

4. The copyright for the item being reproduced should be shown prominently as follows: "Copyright © [year], Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved."

Use by registered NA service boards and committees
Registered NA service boards and committees who wish to quote or reprint portions of NA Fellowship-approved recovery literature should always include the proper notation or credit identifying the origin of the quote or reprinted portion they wish to use. Generally speaking, the length of a reprint or quote should not exceed 25% of the original piece. In the case of NA books, reprints or quotes should not exceed 25% of a single chapter or section.

Any use of NA’s name, trademarks or recovery literature that is not specifically covered is reserved to NAWS, Inc. The use covered in the Intellectual Property Bulletins does not create any other right or claim by the user to any of the fellowship's marks under any theory of law, fact or equity.

Note 1: These are the marking instructions for use in the United States. For instructions relating to other countries, refer to NA Intellectual Property Bulletin #7, Trademark Markings Throughout the World.