If you go to a military surplus store and find a shirt with the words “Semper Fi” on them, they probably aren’t trademark license holders of the Marine Corps’ motto “Semper Fidelis.”

The Quantico Area Counsel Office, headed by Mr. Julius Rothlein, manages the business and commercial law matters of MCB Quantico to include trademark registration and licensing.

By requiring trademarks to be registered and licensed before use on merchandise or for other purposes, the Marine Corps is able to charge royalties and use these funds to not only sustain the licensing and registration program but also to help fund morale, welfare, and recreation programs. What this means is when you purchase a polo shirt with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor logo at the Exchange, part of the cost of that shirt could eventually go towards funding family readiness programs, MCB Quantico events, or even the golf course or fitness center.

Trademarks are not to be confused with copyrights. Copyrights protect ownership of creative works such as songs, or paintings and writings that you might see displayed in the National Museum of the Marine Corps. A trademark is an identifying phrase or logo that is associated with an organization. Examples of Marine Corps trademarks include recognizable images and phrases like the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, USMC, Semper Fi, and MARPAT, but can also include more specifics such as the phrase High Intensity Tactical Training or the Marine Corps Marathon logo.

Article 10 of the United States Code allows for the Department of Defense to register and license trademarks. This also gives QACO the authority to take action against inappropriate or illegal use of trademarks, to include taking down fake social media pages, controlling unlicensed merchandise at customs and border patrol, and prosecuting lawsuits if needed.

The Marine Corps currently has 235 registered trademarks and 73 pending registrations. Of these, there are 382 trademark license holders who are legally allowed to use the Marine Corps’ logos, phrases and terms. Licensing fees for the 2015 fiscal year contributed $820,000 to MWR programs, according to the Trademark Licensing Office at Headquarters Marine Corps. Rothlein states this number is projected to reach the $1 million dollar mark next fiscal year and will continue increasing each year after.