Logo No-No? Brunner Campaign Changes Course With Bus

United States Senate campaign is taking a United States Marine Corps logo off a campaign bus after Creve Coeur Patch questioned if the logo may have been used in violation of Marine Corps trademark guidelines.

Brunner served in the Marines as an Infantry Officer, rose to the rank of Captain, and leans on his military experience on the campaign stump and in advertising.

But according to the Marine Corps Trademark and Licensing Program, using the branch's logo as the Brunner campaign has with a small logo on the rear of a campaign bus, could be considered a problem.

I'm running for a political office and am a former Marine. Can I use Marine Corps trademarks on my campaign materials?

No, you may not use the official Marine Corps Seal, Eagle, Globe and Anchor (EGA), or any other USMC insignia or trademark in this manner, since it might create the impression that your candidacy is endorsed by or affiliated with the USMC in some way, or that the USMC has chosen your candidacy over other candidates. You are more than welcome, to simply and accurately state that you are a Marine Corps veteran, that's fine, that's a fact. But using the EGA which is a trademark of the USMC, and protected by Federal law (please see 10 USC 7881) is something you may not do. This is consistent with the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations which clearly states that the wearing of the uniform in a political context is strictly prohibited. Please see Section 11002(1)(a)(2) and (3) of the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.

A closer look at the federal statute indicates the Secretary of the Navy can sign off on the use of logos. 

In a statement to Patch Saturday, Brunner's Press Secretary John Sutter said "The campaign believes that the RV does not constitute campaign materials, but we will remove the sticker just to be cautious."