Copyright Board Denies UPS Logo Protection
The U.S. Copyright Office Review Board upheld refusals to register two versions of the company's shield logo.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Unions
The U.S. Copyright Office Review Board upheld decisions denying copyright registration for two UPS logo versions. One denied version features the shield alone, while the other incorporates the company's lowercase lettering.
Why it matters
The board found the individual elements of the logos and their arrangement lacked the originality required under federal copyright law. The ruling shows that a familiar corporate logo does not automatically qualify for federal copyright protection.
The Review Board upheld refusals to register two UPS logo versions, one showing the shield alone and one with lowercase lettering. The source does not say whether the company plans to appeal.
The players
U.S. Copyright Office
The federal office within the Library of Congress that administers copyright registration for creative works in the United States.
UPS
United Parcel Service, the global package delivery and logistics company whose shield logo was at issue in the registration denials.
The details
The board determined that the designs lacked the creativity required under federal law, finding that neither the shield's individual elements nor their arrangement met the originality threshold. The decision upheld earlier registration refusals rather than reversing them.
Timeline
Article on the Review Board logo decision published November 3, 2026.
Legal Context
The ruling applies the federal originality requirement, which asks whether a work reflects creative authorship, to corporate logo designs. Companies that rely on simple shapes or familiar lettering may find that trademark rather than copyright is the more practical route to protection.
Businesses that rely on logo designs for brand recognition may need to consider trademark registration, since copyright protection for simple graphic elements is not guaranteed. Individuals creating logo work should expect that the originality standard will be applied strictly.
The takeaway
A recognizable logo is not automatically eligible for copyright protection under federal law. Creators and companies should evaluate whether their designs contain enough original creative expression before relying on copyright for protection.
Further reading
For related coverage of federal policy decisions, see Unions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business Insurance.
