THE
SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
SILVER STAR SERVICE FLAG AND BANNER TRADEMARK
STATEMENT OF TRADEMARK POLICY
"Anyone who seeks to lessen the honor of the Silver Star Service Banner and those who receive it, by forging, using the name Silver Star Service Banner, Silver Stars, or stealing our proprietary trademark will be pursued civilly in a court of law."
The Silver Star Families of America, herein referred to as the SSFOA, was founded to remember, honor and assist wounded, ill and dying of our Armed Forces in any way possible. We do this primarily by presenting a Silver Star Service Banner and Certificate to all wounded and invalided who request one and meet our guidelines.
It is our desire that every time someone sees a Silver Star Service Banner in the window or a Silver Star Service Flag flying that they remember the sacrifice so many have made for this greatn.
The idea of a Silver Star to represent the wounded or injured originated around 1918 at the grass root level when families would sew over a blue star with silver thread. There was never a stand-alone Silver Star Service Banner. Over the years this tradition died out and the Congress of the United States did not include it in United States Code Title 36 Section B. Only the Blue and Gold Star organizations and their emblems were approved. (Chapter 211, 305 and 805.)
There was no “official” or congressionally approved Silver Star Service Banner and the law prevents altering the Blue or Gold Star Service Banners in any way, including adding a Silver Star to the base banner of the Blue or Gold.
In fact a major goal of the SSFOA has been to seek a uniform symbol for all of our wounded, ill, injured or dying. Since altering the Blue or Gold Star Banners was not an option, our organization adopted a new Silver Star Service Banner and Flag that did not infringe on the law or other organizations emblems.
We designed, manufactured and distribute the Silver Star Service Banner/Flag for the wounded, ill and dying members of our Armed Forces. Since the tradition of the Silver Star faded in history, and in fact was not a stand-alone banner it was an open intellectual property which we sought trademark protection from the USPTO. (Trademark #3399948)
USPTO trademark description: Class 024: “Cloth and fabric Flags featuring a silver colored star created to honor our wounded Armed Forces personnel.”
The SSFOA also sought and obtained trademark status from many states on the “Silver Star Service Banner and the name "Silver Star" as it relates to an organization formed to help the wounded of our Armed Forces.”
SSFOA is also seeking registration with the United States Customs Service under intellectual property.
We have also filed for Service Mark status on the name, “Silver Star Service Banner/Flag and we claim the name as intellectual property of the SSFOA.” We also claim the name "Silver Stars" as it relates to an organization who assists the wounded, as a tradename.
The Silver Star Families of America has invested thousands of man hours, funds, work and sweat in bringing the Silver Star Service Banner/Flag into existence and bringing it recognition Nationwide.
May 1st has been designated "Silver Star Service Banner Day" across the 50 states and passed unanimously in the House and the Senate. Now, states, cities, counties, organizations, the workplace as well as individuals are declaring the SSFOA Silver Star Service Banner/Flag their official symbol for all our wounded, ill and dying.
The SSFOA Service Banner and Flag has become THE recognized symbol for our wounded, ill and dying not only nationwide, but in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany. The strength of our trademark is overwhelming.
The SSFOA has designated one manufacturer of our Banners and Flags to insure quality control.
Since we issue our Banners for free to those who qualify and since we have worked to make this symbol recognizable nationwide as the symbol for our wounded, ill and dying, we will protect our trademark vigorously.
* Anyone who seeks to lessen the honor of the Silver Star Service Banner and those who receive it, by forging, using the name Silver Star Service Banner, Silver Stars or stealing our proprietary trademark will be pursued civilly in a court of law.
SILVER STAR SERVICE FLAG ® Serial Number 3399948
SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER" IS TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR" AS IT RELATES TO AN ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST THE WOUNDED OF OUR ARMED FORCES, IS TM
The phase "wounded, ill and injured" is our mission statement and as such we claim as
servicemarked if used in regard to another profit or non profit that works with the wounded, ill and injured of our Armed Forces.
OTHER STATES THAT HAVE TRADEMARKED THE SILVER STAR
The Silver Star Families of America reluctantly goes to court to defend its trademark
NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE UNDER SECTION 8
The declaration of use or excusable nonuse filed for the above-identified registration meets the requirements of Section 8 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1058. The Section 8 declaration is accepted.
NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT UNDER SECTION 15
The declaration of incontestability filed for the above-identified registration meets the requirements of Section 15 of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C. §1065. The Section 15 declaration is acknowledged.
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SILVER STAR FLAG ®
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER" IS TM
Disclaimer Privacy Policy
Copyright 2005-2009
All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer:
The Silver Star Banner and Flag is in no way connected to the Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star Families of America is a non-partisan, not-for-profit charitable organization committed to supporting the United States Wounded Military Members and Veterans from all wars, past and present, and honoring their sacrifice with Silver Star Service Banners. Content within this web site is the sole property of The Silver Star Families of America. "All photos and letters sent to the SSFOA become the property of the organization to be used in any way we deem appropriate." SSFOA reserves the right to conduct the day to day business of the organization as they deem appropriate. State Coordinators and Reps will be chosen at the discretion of SSFOA National Headquarters. SSFOA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit public charity organization. See your tax advisor. For more info on deductions see: http://apps2.irs.gov/charities/contributors/index.html
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Silver Star shining for sacrifice, honoring wounded, ill and dying members of our Armed Forces, and bringing remembrance to those so deserving of our thanks.
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