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Using Casey and other YCWA registered marks

The logo Casey, The Crime Watchin’ Cat is the official trademark of Youth Crime Watch of America, a non-profit organization that assists youth in actively reducing crime and drug use in their schools and communities. The goals of Youth Crime Watch of America are to create crime-free and drug-free environments for learning and living; to instill positive values, build citizenship, and build self-confidence in our youth; and, to utilize youth as leaders in preventing crime, drugs, and violence. The Casey logo is always used in accordance with these goals.

The Casey logo appears on books, booklets, manuals, brochures, comic strips, posters, and other types of educational products of Youth Crime Watch of America. The mascot and logo are integrally associated with the perception of the character, reputation, orientation, and performance of the organization.

The policy of Youth Crime Watch of America is to encourage but not require the use of Casey in the implementation of Youth Crime Watch in individual states and localities. Use of the logo contributes to a national feeling of solidarity, assists the public in connecting the effort with a national presence, and further connects the effort to a youth-oriented movement. The use of Casey as the YCWA logo does not in any way indicate disrespect, disapproval, or rivalry with the mascots and logos of other national efforts such as McGruff the Crime Dog or D.A.R.E.’s Daren the Lion. YCWA seeks collaboration with such other efforts in the interest of serving the youth of this nation and globe.

To facilitate the use of Casey, Youth Crime Watch of America has developed a package of camera-ready logos that can be used in many ways. For example, officially designated Expansion Centers or prospective or actual school or community sites can design their own T-shirts, letterhead, banners, and anything that will be helpful to initiate and/or maintain a Youth Crime Watch program. It is imperative that the message remains consistent and that our mascot and logo are portrayed in a crime-prevention manner.

To insure that the Casey and Youth Crime Watch of America logos are used for the integral purposes of prevention, YCWA incurs an obligation to protect them from any use inconsistent with their purposes. For this reason, prior approval must be obtained for their use when the logos are being used on original material. It is of course permissible to use preprinted material of Youth Crime Watch of America when the document itself allows permission or is not otherwise restricted. Any persons that desires to use the Casey and Youth Crime Watch logos on materials they wish to sell must, of course, also have their requests pre-approved by YCWA.

In developing materials utilizing Casey the Crime Watchin’ Cat or the Youth Crime Watch of America logo that includes the Casey image, or both, it is important to remember that:

Casey, The Crime Watchin’ Cat is a national/international crime prevention symbol.
The character, the logo, and the slogan “We’re Watchin’ Because We Care” are legally protected service marks and trademarks that Youth Crime Watch of America has an obligation to protect.
Approval to use any of our materials may be obtained only through an application to Youth Crime Watch of America (see below).
Casey, The Crime Watchin’ Cat and the Youth Crime Watch Logo must be used primarily for the purpose of prevention education in the areas of crime, violence, and/or drug abuse.
Casey is a young varsity/student patrol member and should always be portrayed as one. He is a crime prevention symbol and does not claim that he can do everything himself or that he is personally responsible for crime prevention.
Casey may not be shown holding a weapon of any type or any weapon-like objects, or behaving in a threatening manner, handling drugs, using tobacco, or in any sexually suggestive mode. The messages that accompany the use of the logo and character must also be consistent with this rule.
Casey’s integrity must be maintained. If he is drawn by you or your artist he must look like the original, the costume must be consistent with the one provided by Youth Crime Watch of America, and all artwork should be approved by YCWA before it is displayed.
Casey never endorses any person, product, company, or political candidate or figure. When using the Casey figure and/or the YCWA logo, businesses, organizations, and public officials are encouraged to sponsor and reproduce the prevention messages. However, the logo and figure must not be used in any way that denotes or connotes that Casey or Youth Crime Watch of America endorses exclusively or even preferably any of the above.

The application process for the use of Casey and the YCWA logo is simple. The proposed material must be provided to the Communications Department of Youth Crime Watch of America via the form below or by mail, fax, or e-mail:

Communications Department
Youth Crime Watch of America
9200 South Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 417
Miami, Florida 33156

Telephone: 305-670-2409
Fax: 305-670-3805
E-mail: ycwa@ycwa.org

The request, which can use the form provided on this page, should also indicate the context of use for the material. YCWA will provide a response back to the requester within five working days.

Expansion Centers may use the YCWA logo and Casey figure on stationery they use for Youth Crime Watch business provided the Executive Director of YCWA provides prior permission. Individual sites may also use the Casey figure in a similar manner with prior clearance from YCWA. The rules outlined above for the Casey figure and logo apply to both the designated Expansion Centers and individual sites under their management.

Youth Crime Watch of America looks forward to a strong relationship with each of its sites in the cause of prevention. The mascot and logo will be part of a strong repertoire that will make America’s schools and communities safer and stronger.

All relevant materials are considered copyrighted by Youth Crime Watch of America (YCWA).

Permission request form

Contact

If you have any questions about the process of obtaining permission to use YCW registered marks, please contact YCWA at 305-670-2409.