THE
SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA
TRADEMARK
STATEMENT OF TRADEMARK POLICY
The Silver Star Families of America, herein referred to as the SSFOA, was founded to remember honor and assist the wounded of our Armed Forces in any way possible. We do this primarily by presenting a Silver Star Banner and Certificate to all wounded or invalided Soldiers who request one and meet our guidelines.
It is our desire that every time someone see’s a Silver Star Banner in the window or a Silver Star Flag flying that they remember the sacrifice so many have made for this great Nation.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 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 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 or injured. Since altering the Blue or Gold Star Banners was not an option, our organization adopted a new Silver Star Banner and Flag that did not infringe on the law or other organizations emblems.We designed, manufactured and distribute the Silver Star Banner/Flag for the wounded. 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.”The 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.”The Silver Star Families of America has invested thousands of man hours, funds, work and sweat in bringing the Silver Star Banner/Flag into existence and bringing it recognition Nationwide.
On May 1st of 2008, 46 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S, Virgin Islands and cities across the country declared “Silver Star Banner Day” in recognition of our wounded and ill. Now, states are declaring the SSFOA Silver Star Banner/Flag their official symbol for all our wounded and ill and we are making progress on receiving Congressional approval.
The SSFOA Banner and Flag has become THE recognized symbol for our wounded and ill children 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 and ill, 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, or stealing our proprietary trademark will be pursued civilly in a court of law.
SILVER STAR FLAG ® Serial Number 3399948
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER" IS TM
SILVER STAR FLAG ®
SILVER STAR BANNER TM
THE NAME "SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER" IS TM
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 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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